Former Bulgarian PM Kiril Petkov resigns as WCC Co-Chair and MP amid corruption probe

Kiril Petkov resigned as an MP and co-chair of "We Continue the Change" following a corruption probe targeting party mayors in Sofia, but said he will remain with the party.

Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov announced on Wednesday that he is resigning as co-chair of "We Continue the Change" (WCC) and as a member of parliament, following the launch of a corruption investigation involving party mayors in Sofia. Petkov stated he will continue to be part of the party.

"I am personally taking political responsibility and resigning as co-chair of 'We Continue the Change'. I am also resigning as an MP from 'We Continue the Change'," Petkov said during a press conference.

Petkov’s resignation follows the release of a recording featuring a conversation between the Deputy Mayor of Sofia, Nikola Barbutov, and the Mayor of the Lyulin district, Georgi Todorov. "When we founded the party, we spoke about zero tolerance for corruption. We've upheld that principle the entire time. Neither I nor anyone on the Executive Council of WCC knew about this. Being clean from corruption does not mean you are a good leader. If this tip-off and recording are real, then this is truly a serious mistake," Petkov said.

He added: "It's a mistake that a district mayor would allow themselves to have such a conversation. Anti-corruption is at the heart of our party – it is our creed. This is a major failure by both district mayors. The fact that they didn’t pick up the phone and inform us is a huge failure."

According to unofficial information, three individuals have been arrested in the case, including the Deputy Mayor of Sofia and two managers of companies whose offices were searched. The companies reportedly received public contracts from district administrations in Sofia Municipality.

Investigators are currently reviewing evidence to determine charges and against whom they will be brought; the case is in the pre-trial stage. Allegations include that district mayors were pressured by senior party members to rig public tenders, allowing money to be funneled back to the party through donations.

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev wrote on Facebook that Deputy Mayor Nikola Barbutov has been dismissed from his position.

Petkov announced that a General Assembly of the party will be held by the end of the year, with Asen Vassilev remaining as party leader until then. Petkov emphasized that there will be no split with Democratic Bulgaria.

‍