Morale, Unity, Honour (Bulgarian: Морал, Единство, Чест), also known simply as MECh (Bulgarian: МЕЧ, lit. 'Sword') is a Bulgarian political party formed in February 2024 by former Minister of Youth and Sports and then-MP Radostin Vasilev. The party stands on a hard anti-establishment and anti-corruption platform, promising to fight organised crime and restore the rule of law in the country. It also advocates for traditional family values, while opposing the LGBT community, a eurosceptic approach to Bulgaria's membership in the European Union, and a neutral stance towards the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Morality, Unity, Honour Морал, Единство, Чест | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | MECh |
| Leader | Radostin Vasilev |
| Founder | Radostin Vasilev |
| Founded | 9 February 2024 |
| Split from | We Continue the Change |
| Headquarters | 47 General Parensov St., Sofia |
| Ideology | Populism Social conservatism Soft Euroscepticism Anti-establishment |
| Political position | Fiscal: Centre Cultural/Ethical: Right-wing |
| Colors | Red Navy blue |
| Slogan | “Bulgaria first!” (Bulgarian: България първо!) |
| National Assembly | 12 / 240 |
| European Parliament | 0 / 17 |
| Website | |
| ppmech | |
History
editBackground and foundation
editMorale, Unity, Honour was officially registered as a political party on 9 February 2024, after its founder, Radostin Vasilev, launched its platform in the fall of 2023.[1][2] Vasilev, formerly a member of the ITN and We Continue the Change parties, had left the latter in May 2023 following a wiretapping scandal involving him. On 21 May the party held a national video conference with about 50 people participating where it discussed the opportunity of forming a government in a coalition with GERB—SDS. As the conference was running late at night, Vasilev proceeded to record it and, to his words, go to bed. The following day he leaked the recording to the press,[3] claiming he has lost confidence in party leaders Kiril Petkov and Asen Vasilev, who, unaware of being recorded, can be heard making controversial statements on multiple occasions in the tape.[4] While the scandal stalled government talks, they concluded in the formation of the Denkov Government.[5][6] As a result, Vasilev declared his independence from the PP-DB group in the National Assembly and served as MP until the dissolution of the 49th National Assembly, where he would actively criticize the government and use his position to increase the popularity of his newly formed party.[7][8]
2024 October Elections & Entrance into Parliament
editFollowing the October 2024 Bulgarian parliamentary election, MECh entered the Bulgarian National Assembly.[9] Following the parties election result, the parties founder and leader, Radostin Vasilev, called for the formation of an "anti-GERB and DPS" majority within the parliament, in order to pass anti-corruption legislation.[10] He further lamented that MECh's main demand if such a majority was formed was that the Minister of Interior be selected from MECh, with Vasilev presenting himself as a potential candidate.[10]
Political positions
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2024) |
Election results
editNational Assembly
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2024 | Radostin Vasilev | 63,992 | 2.98 (#8) | 0 / 240
|
New | Extra-parliamentary |
| Oct 2024 | 111,946 | 4.60 (#8) | 12 / 240
|
 12
|
TBD |
European Parliament
edit| Election | List leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | EP Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Radostin Vasilev | 51,076 | 2.54 (#8) | 0 / 17
|
New | – |
References
edit- ^ "Радостин Василев: На 22 октомври ще учредим МЕЧ - първата пробългарска партия". bnr.bg.
- ^ "Радостин Василев регистрира партия МЕЧ в съда". News.bg. 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Radostin Vasilev shows remarks from alleged political haggling over the formation of a cabinet". bnr.bg.
- ^ ""Службите са наши": Радостин Василев пусна запис от съвет на "Продължаваме промяната"". bTV Новините.
- ^ staff, The Sofia Globe (5 June 2023). "Bulgarian Parliament to hold special sitting to vote on proposed government".
- ^ staff, The Sofia Globe (7 June 2023). "Bulgaria's Denkov coalition government: meet the ministers".
- ^ "Радостин Василев напуска ПП-ДБ със скандал – DW – 26.05.2023". dw.com.
- ^ "Радостин Василев: Днес ще бъде избрано най-позорното и жалко правителство след Беровото - По света и у нас - БНТ Новини".
- ^ "За първи път в парламента: Коя е партия МЕЧ?".
- ^ a b "От партия МЕЧ предлагат мнозинство срещу Борисов, Пеевски и Доган".