PART THREE:
THE BSP - A PARTY OF THE SELF-RENOVATING DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM
ENHANCEMENT OF THE IDEOLOGICAL OUTLOOK OF THE BSP
One of the main characteristics of the BSP, being a new type of a socialist party, lies in its foundation as a unified formation from a political and organisational point of view, with its ideological identification, however, without the imposition of ideological unanimity. Any member and supporter of the BSP has the freedom of holding and expressing various philosophical, religious and aesthetic views. We are united by common goals, common policy and unified organisation of the party. It doesn't mean that the BSP lacks an ideological base, however it doesn't close itself within the framework of one doctrine only, but it acts within the limits of the basic values of the selfrenovating democratic socialism - peace, liberty, justice, solidarity, environmental security, new quality of life, new humanisation of society and realisation of any human individuality.
The further self-renovation of the BSP is closely connected with the enhancement of the ideological outlook of the party. This is due both to the arising of new problems in the contemporary development of the world and to the internal development of the left-wing forces and ideas. Some of these problems are radically different from the existing and even unprecedented in human history. Without innovating its ideological and theoretical thinking, the BSP cannot meet the new challenges.
The new times demand an entire rethinking of the basic theoretical, political and organisational assumptions on which the parties of socialism have been growing during the passing XX- century. Besides, we are facing an aggressive juncture of total criticism against the hitherto prevailing history of socialism which is aimed at discrediting socialism at all, without trying to distinguish the valuable from the inapplicable in the experience and in the theoretical research of the past.
The responsibility of the left-wing thought, in particularly of the BSP, lies in its capacity to make a critical appraisal of the traversed road. But in such a critical review we have to be careful not to play the notorious role of merchants of the ideas which have become an embodiment of the hope for social liberation of humanity.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party does not give up its Marxist roots. We highly appreciate the historical heritage of Marx's teaching which has played a great intellectual and transformational role in the XIX and XX centuries. We hold that even today the method and a number of theoretical principles of Marxism continue to have a real impact on the present knowledge of society. We are going to analyse various trends in the development of Marxism, some of which were subject to an unfounded denial. Besides, our attitude to Marxism today is more complicated than during the past decades. We preserve what has been confirmed in life and leave aside the outfashioned and dogmatic.
Before putting aside those theoretical synthesis and that practical experience which have been proved inefficient, we should pay tribute to the history of socialism, the socialist movement in Bulgaria included. Socialism is inseparable from the development of the contemporary world and from contemporary Bulgaria. Notwithstanding all its shortcomings and inevitable limitations, with all of its historical dramatic effect, the socialist movement fulfilled one of the tasks which it set to itself - it has changed the world. Socialism is not only a chain of shortcomings, but also a number of invaluable acquisitions of the people. The Bulgarian socialists have been now striving more that 100 years for a more just world. A world in which each and every citizen is provided with work, dwelling, cheap transport, health care, education, access to culture, security. We view our errors, we condemn depravities, however we are not ashamed of the covered road.
On the eve of the XXI century the BSP needs both the most valuable from its ideological foundation of socialism during the passed century and a half, and the new ideas, richer theoretical foundations of its political activity. Today the BSP is open to all progressive ideas and explorations, reached by the contemporary science. The BSP is building up its practical policy in all spheres of social development on the basis of scientific achievements. In this way it guarantees compliance of the policy with the leading processes and trends in the world and is helping Bulgaria not to retard from them.
Ideological discussion in the BSP as well as in other parties of present socialism is going on. It should be carried out in the open and in a tolerant and comradely manner. We can reach the truth about the present development of the world only through a discussion.
The time and practice prove the validity of one or another judgement. In this way the BSP will provide theoretical development and renovation to its theoretical and ideological base.
THE BSP-A PART OF THE BULGARIAN, EUROPEAN AND WORLD-WIDE LEFT-WING
The global changes, the eclipse of the two-polar geopolitical model of the world, the growing instability in part of our continent, and particularly on the Balkans, the internal economic, political and social problems in a number of countries require assessment of the responsibilities and common and unified action from the left-wing on a national and regional, European and world-wide level. The left-wing forces in Bulgaria stand before great responsibilities and challenges. The consciousness about our common responsibility should have promoted better understanding, rather than nourished the division, let alone the confrontation among the left-wing forces in Bulgaria. It should motivate us to act in the spirit of shaping considerable unity both among the European left and among the broader democratic forces in the struggle for peace, democracy and justice. It is necessary to enhance the willpower and ability for understanding and for finding common solutions" o the grave social problems, so that the Bulgarian left can face the perspective of left alternative in the governing and modernisation of the country.
No matter how complicated, controversial and historically burdened may appear to be the ideological, political and practical mutual relations within the Bulgarian left, it should take the challenge in order to clarify its identity and to lay grounds for interaction. The leading motive here is the commonness of the alternative, offered by the traditional socialist, social- democratic, agrarian and other parties and movements as well as by new environmental, human rights protection, civic, co-operative, women's, youth's, patriotic and other organisations and movements.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is the biggest and politically the most influential left-wing force in the country. But we do not claim monopoly over the left and the left-wing ideas. The Bulgarian Socialist Party has got its projects for solving the acute problems which the country is facing and it is ready to enter a constructive dialogue on equal footing in the first place with the other left-wing forces in Bulgaria as well as with all other democratic, political and social organisations. The convening of the ,,round table" in 1990 and the adoption of the new Constitution in 1991 show that such a dialogue and practical co-operation are not only possible but productive as well.
Our desire for a dialogue and interaction with the other left-wing forces in the country is sincere and benevolent. However, we would like to make ourselves clear that our desire only is not enough to set up a strong left alternative for Bulgaria. Each left-wing political force in the country should pass its own part of the road towards the unity of the Bulgarian left.
The left alternative is a social and political cause of historical significance to the country. It could be achieved only if there is a political and social foundation, creating prerequisites for solid new forms of interaction.
This is a policy of building interaction, capable of standing continuous and severe ordeals, a product of long, painstaking economic, political, social and spiritual crisis of the Bulgarian society. It is not enough simply to ,,assemble" some governing majority because today Bulgaria has a need of a left alternative which can become a vehicle of a new concept of economic reforms, for enhancement of political democracy, for flexible and responsible social measures. Naturally it can be done only on the road and with the method of reforms via a pragmatic reformism which is capable of making real changes in the economic and political relations in the country.
The correlation between values and programmes in our opinion deserves prime attention. The programmes should be based on real and authentic values, and the values without pragmatic programmes couldn't be implemented.
Our position is clear - we put priority on practical programmes and namely on this pragmatic base we view the unity of the left. It is with that spirit that we appeal to the social-democrats and to the other left-wing forces to work together and to realize the left alternative in the development of the country today.
The appeal to the modern Bulgarian social-democracy is of particular importance to us. We are not divided either by goals or values. Just the opposite, the socialist perspective unites us or more precisely, it should unite us. On behalf of the BSP, there are no obstacles of principle as our choice is in favour of the democratic socialism. What we are supposed to overcome, are the recurrence of confrontation, distrust and disloyalty.
It is not necessary to start from a point of some kind of organisational unity in order to reach the point of interaction in the name of the left alternative, and make further steps to the integrity of the socialist movement in Bulgaria in its variety.
The real problem of the forces which are oriented to the democratic socialism is not the election competition but rather the link between the pending political tasks, the programme goals, the moral and cultural essence and the very prospect of socialism in our country. This problem can only be solved via benevolent and constructive discussion.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is an integral part of the democratic European and world left. Evidence of this one can find not only in its origin and traditions, but also in the essence of the undergoing radical changes in the last years. The BSP adheres to the Declaration of principles of the Socialist International and it has pronounced in its programme documents the democratic socialism as its most synthesised ideological and political characteristics. General principles and values of the democratic socialism find concrete application in the strategy of the BSP for a peaceful transition of Bulgaria towards democracy and social market society. The policy of the socialist party of a dialogue, interaction with all democratic forces and national consensus is the spirit of the European standards of a civilized and constructive political conduct. The BSP declares openly its adherence to the Europeization of the political life and the foreign policy of the country, to the efforts of integrating Bulgaria into the European structures where the country will be of a full participant.
The ideological and theoretical vision of the BSP for the necessity of cooperation of the European left-wing forces in front of the new challenges has a particular importance for the integration of BSP into the European left. The socialism of the XXI century cannot be understood as a formula for progress and welfare only by the richest and most privileged nations on the globe. That is why the BSP stands behind the notion that the European and world left should with all their might strive for the creation of international relations for the development of an effective policy of solidarity and establishment of a new balance of the present asymmetric and in many ways unjust international economic and political order.
The idea of availability of certain ,,Ghettos" or ,,oasis", where entire nations and regions are being put, is incompatible with the fundamental principles of modern socialism. The main question today is in what way the European left - and the BSP as its integral part - will be able to work effectively for the elaboration of the necessary international policy of solidarity, inherent to socialism.
THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF THE BSP
The BSP and the Political Power
To BSP power is not an aim in itself, but a means for the implementation of reforms in the interest of the entire progress of the nation and in compliance with the values of democratic socialism.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party recognises the people as the only source of power and respects unconditionally their sovereign will, expressed via free democratic elections.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party takes and relinquishes power in a peaceful and democratic way in accordance with the order, stipulated by the Constitution.
Such a concept of power supposes political and ideological pluralism. understood not simply as a number of political subjects but as equal rights, a dialogue, and tolerance to the opponents.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party expresses its disapproval of the tendencies of authoritarianism and dictatorship, of degradation of democracy, of prosecution of socialist parties and politicians, of political and judicial trials and repression that appeared in Bulgaria and in other former socialist countries.
Democracy cannot be attained by undemocratic ways and undemocratic means.
The Role of the State
The Bulgarian Socialist Party stands for a democratic and social state. The state is a decisive factor for defending the national sovereignty and security.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party adheres to the understanding that the market and the state, the private and the state initiative can and must complement one another, because each of them has functions, which cannot be implemented by the others.
The democratic state is a principal factor for correcting the shortcomings of the market, of its social „blindness" and unconcern. Under the circumstances of global economy, the state should assume a new role directing deliberately economic development and social progress while defending the national interests. In present Bulgarian society which is being polarised, the democratic state through its regulatory functions plays a special role for the integration and social justice.
That is why the democratic state should guide the reforms which the country needs. In the economic field the country should act as a strategic factor directing the economic growth via regulation of the market economy.
The BSP points out the great responsibility and necessity of active participation of the state in the spiritual development of the society.
However, it is neither limited to the functioning of the state institutions nor it has a meaning of its own. The policy and the politicians are meant to create favourable conditions for a social realisation of the people.
The Policy in the Period of Transition.
The responsibility of politics grows particularly in the period of transition, which Bulgaria is undergoing. It cannot be downgraded to a routine deal with common things that happen everyday. To receive and preserve social confidence, the politicians should have the courage to bear their responsibility, to set before themselves the tasks corresponding to the new realities.
On the background of this increased social exactingness and sensitivity the crisis of politics and political elites in the country has reached alarming dimensions. We sometimes come across a drastic inability to see and follow the right direction that can take the country out of the economic crisis. Mediocrity prevails over the first echelon of politicians. Corruption and abuse of power have reached unprecedented scale. Low quality of political life, insufficient political culture in a number of cases presuppose ineffective functioning of the state institutions.
Political parties become object of growing mistrust and dissatisfaction. Unprincipled, in most of the cases, scuffles among and within the parties contribute to this end. Availability of dozens of ,,phantom parties" has nothing to do with politics. The degree of the social negative approach and nihilism to the multi-party political democracy is threatening. It is creating a dangerous vacuum for infiltration of undemocratic tendencies and. notions.
Today the politics and the politicians have a chance to overcome these negative phenomena should they only make a broad step towards democracy and openness, should they only become servants rather than manipulators of the people.
Political activity, which is considered to be something more than application of objective necessities, should be generated and implemented by competent and adherent citizens. Public dialogue is an expression of the democratic culture.
The BSP - a National Party
One of the main characteristics of the BSP is that of being a national party.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is a national party because it places the national interests above the party, corporate and other group interests. It takes into consideration the interests of various social groups, but it has a certain social base and it expresses the interests of the people and groups which account for this social base. However, when it comes to defending the national interests they are of unconditional priority for the BSP.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is a national party because it declares a policy of national unity. A national consent among various political, ethnic and religious communities for guaranteeing the borders, the integrity, independence and modernisation of the country is possible and it is a question of a nationally responsible conduct of all participants in the political life.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is a national party because it views the realisation of modern democratic socialism in Bulgaria in the light of our national specifics. As a party directed to the socialism of the XXI century the BSP wants to change the present social reality by the most appropriate for Bulgaria means, on the way of democratic reforms and with such rates and forms that are both in conformity with the historic traditions and real social conditions in Bulgaria.
THE SOCIAL PILLARS OF THE BSP - TRADITIONAL AND NEW TRENDS
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is open to social contacts and a dialogue with various groups and strata as well as with their political representatives. We are confident that by pursuing the policy of national consent, it is possible to work out a new „social agreement" which takes into consideration the interests of the majority of the people. The main part of this ,,agreement", conceived both with regard to the present context and in the long term, is to put into practice the necessary reforms at the minimum possible and justly distributed social price.
However, the Bulgarian Socialist Party has a position of its own to participate in the social dialogue on the problems of reforms - position, defined mainly on the basis of the interests of our major hitherto prevailing social pillars, on the social strata and groups whose ranks are providing our main political, moral and electoral support.
By its nature of being a new socialist party, the BSP does not raise obstacles before any citizen, who shares its ideas and policy. It is namely because it's a socialist party, the BSP cannot but defend the following interests, bringing them to the light:
* interests of the people of intellectual and physical labour;
* interests of the socially weak people, of those who cannot support themselves due to reasons of old age, health or social circumstances.
* interests of the people of free lance professions, of small businesses, who with their own abilities, efforts, and labour property develop production of material and spiritual wealth.
The protection of these interests is one inevitable limitation of the pragmatism of our policy - there are certain options and solutions of the problems, put forward by the reforms which are unacceptable for the BSP because they run against the interests of the people who are our social pillars and those we stand behind.
The Bulgarian Socialist party declares that it continues to be a party of labour and of the working people, of the workers and farmers, of all producers of material and spiritual wealth. There is no other party with such historical experience and contribution to the improvement of the conditions of labour and to the protection of the interests of the working individual in Bulgaria.
The BSP declares as well, that it is a party of the intelligentsia, of small proprietors, of the small business, of the unions of intellectuals and new syndicates, of the emerging middle class.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party defends the interests of the poor and of those being impoverished in Bulgaria. We emerged 100 years ago and we are still on the political arena to defend the exploited and oppressed. We are not a party of poverty. The Bulgarian Socialist Party strives for a gradual limitation of the exploitation and the poverty, for the prosperity of all citizens.
In the present conditions the social base of the Bulgarian Socialist Party is expanding and transforming qualitatively. In this sense, the BSP should move with the times, rejecting as false both extreme trends; to remain within its traditional social base only or lose social individuality.
The realities in the social and demographic structure of the country as well as the ideological and political succession in the development of the BSP presupposed the great attention which we pay to the traditional social pillar of the socialists - the people for whom labour is a prerequisite for a living and social prosperity. But in the span of reforms Bulgarian society inevitably will change itself and therefore the BSP should look for way in the new realities to build a social majority, which can be a pillar of socialism for the implementation of its project for the future with peaceful and democratic means.
This is where lie not only the differences between the left and the right, but between the traditional and the new left too. The Bulgarian Socialist Party is aware that it will need the support of a broader and of bigger variety of social forces than its traditional social pillars were. We have in mind not only the emerging new professional groups but also these new social formations, which are not directly connected with the division of labour and are being identified as ,,infra class" or as ,,new social movements". Such new formations reflect to a considerable degree the emergence of eventual opportunities for the solution of new social problems, of new contradictions and sources of injustice in society (new forms of marginalization of society, unequality of women and young people, environmental problems, crime, racial and ethnic tensions etc.
In these new relationships and new sources of attitudes (but of social criticism as well) the BSP will be able to reveal new ideas and social prospects, because it will add to its traditional supporters the impulse of transformation of the new social groups, who define the political orientation not only based on the rigid framework of the relations of labour.
THE BSP - A MASS AND A PARLIAMENTARY PARTY
The BSP - A Mass Political Party
The BSP will develop further as a mass political party. It will realize its social goals not only via Parliament and local bodies of self-government but as well as in the civic society, focusing closely on the real problems of the people from various social groups and strata.
The Bulgarian Socialist party still remains to be the most numerous party in Bulgaria and will endeavour to remain as such. The BSP will rely on the positions and activities of its organisations to enlarge its membership both from its traditional social base and from the new social strata and movements. Preservation and growth in membership is an important guaranty not only for the viability of the party structures, but also for expansion of their influence and for an effective policy.
The BSP occupies a place though not to the same extent, in various structures of the civic society as a mass party with numerous membership. This presence contributes substantially to our activity in the bodies of representative democracy. Moreover it is a prospectus possibility for fully-fledged participation and BSP's contribution to the development of direct democracy, to the democracy of participation where we can attract the ideas and abilities of the broadest social strata and correct the shortcomings of representative democracy.
Developing further as a mass party, the BSP confirms its open character. It keeps its organisations open to all, who accept socialist ideas and values and not only it the selected, one way or another, political elite. Open to people from different social strata, groups and age categories, ethic communities and professional shops, the BSP keeps its sensitivity to their problems and maintains a sufficient internal representativeness for reflection of their interests, while making their policy.
Preserving and enriching its character as a mass political organisation the BSP remains loyal to the deeply democratic and people's character of the socialist ideas. A real and full party democracy can exist only when the members and supporters of the party have not only formal equal rights and freedom of expression but real opportunities to participate in the elaboration, exercising and appraising of its policy. The development of the BSP as a mass party means that now and tomorrow its policy will be worked out and pursued not by a limited number of selected politicians with high degree of autonomy, but by a wide range of public figures, activists, experts and simply supporters.
Expansion of the mass participation of the socialists in the shaping up and in pursuing of the policy of BSP will bring for sure an increase of quality of their policy, as it will reflect more clearly the variety of really specific (not detached) points of view on the social problems and political means to solve them.
The BSP - A Parliamentary Party
One of the most essential aspects of the change of BSP and at the same time one of the undisputed proves for the change in the recent year is it re-emerging and consolidation as a principal parliamentary force of the Bulgarian society. The BSP consistently defends the principles of parliamentarism as one of the most valuable achievements of human civilisation. The socialists respect and protect democratic institutions in the country; they respect the values and practices of multipartite activity and ideological pluralism.
As a parliamentary party, the BSP recognises free and democratic elections as the only legitimate path to power, which should be exercised in a political dialogue, partnership and loyal competition with other political parties. Elections are a necessary check and impetus for self-control and self-development of the genuine political formations.
In the recent years the BSP has proved its loyalty to the ideas and principles of parliamentarism both as a ruling and opposition party. We defend the ideas of national consent and dialogue with political partners and opponents for such a formula of government of the country, which could have the broadest political and social support in the present difficult times.
In the future the National Assembly and the local bodies of self-government will be the principal ground for political activity and expression for the Bulgarian socialists.
With the development of the Bulgarian parliamentary democracy the BSP gets the opportunity to defend its social goals and values. The institutions of representative democracy will be the stronghold for realizing the vote of confidence, which the BSP expects to receive from the people. It means new requirements, new challenges and new responsibilities for the socialist parliamentarians and municipal councillors.
There stands out the question of political and moral responsibility of the parliamentary group and the groups of municipal councillors of the BSP before their electorate and the party itself. Though being representative of the whole people, those furnished with people's confidence go to the parliament or to the municipalities in order to strive for the implementation of the programme that won this confidence, in order to defend the interests of the people who have supported the policy of the BSP. Its politicians and parliamentarians will resolutely oppose any attempts to pursue self-interested corporate or individual aims under the disguise of the free constitutional mandate, as well as coterie or backdoor political contracts in disadvantage to the interests of the people and state.
The experience of the recent years shows that the force of the BSP's parliamentary contributions depends considerably on the unity, effectiveness and the atmosphere in the parliamentary group and in the group of the municipal councillors of the party. The BSP respects the liberty of any of its people's deputy, including his right to change his political orientation, but it will resolutely defend the principle of political loyalty to the vote of the electorate, which excludes attempts of organising autonomous structures and centres of political power in the parliamentary group.
The BSP should pay more comprehensive attention to the selection and preparedness of its candidates for people's representatives and councillors. There will be a need of highly qualified politicians with manifested personal features and prepared in the mainstreams of the parliamentary activity. A precise, broadly democratic and principled selection made among the entire social and professional groups will guarantee this.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party must acquire better quality, consistency and social effectiveness in its legislative activity. Draft-laws defended by the BSP parliamentary group should give solutions of national problems and people's problems via the policy of the left alternative, to impart concrete features of the party's characteristics and identity. The legislative activity, the parliamentary control, the dialogue with the other parliamentary formations are developing as an important and integral part of the common political strategy and tactics of the BSP.
The development of the BSP as a parliamentary party requires further improvement of the interaction and mutual support of the parliamentary and party structures. The logic of the present parliamentary democracy compels internal party activity to be co-ordinated with the span of the parliamentary life as well as with the requirements and the rhythm of election campaigns, with the scale and the problems of communities who elect the bodies of representative democracy.
It is necessary to improve the co-ordination and mutual activity between the Higher council and the parliamentary group of the BSP, between the local party bodies and the groups of councillors in the self-governing bodies. The right decision here is neither to establish a command-hierarchical relationship nor to yield to a deliberate confrontation, and in the high self-dependence of the parliamentary structures in exercising the political line and principled positions, worked out by the pertinent party bodies, generally together with our deputies in the bodies of representative democracy.
FOUNDING PRINCIPLES AND FUNCTIONING OF THE BSP
The might and influence of the Bulgarian Socialist Party greatly depends on itself, on the activity and constructive participation of all of its members and supporters in it's structures. The guaranty of stability and expansion of the might and influence of the party lies in the provision of high political efficiency and wider internal party democracy. The two things are interrelated and interdependent - the political efficiency requires elaboration of a correct policy, organisational might and quick political reaction, which are impossible without the broadest participation of the members and party structures. Internal party democracy is not a road to chaotic activities and separatism, but a prerequisite for a conscious political self-organization.
It is necessary that the fundamental building principle of the BSP - the principle of democratic unity - should achieve broader development, so that our political practice can be more effective and more democratic.
The right of the socialists to organize and participate in different ideological currents is recognised within the BSP. Its vocation is to generate ideas and alternatives on the basis of ideological pluralism, but not as a union of ideological currents, unification of groups of influence.
The renovated BSP should bear the differences not as a motive for division, but as a value and active factor in the formulation of it policy and its unity.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party is a democratic and united party. Recognizing the pluralism of thinking we cannot become and we will not become a party which is not able to organize itself for practical actions. We are not supposed to ask the vote of the electorate to govern the country if we do not show capability of governing the country as a party. We should remain as a united party, which formulates its policy in discussion, but it exercises it in unity -only in this case the Bulgarian Socialist Party may stay as a powerful party.
At the present stage of reforms in the country and as a result of its own reformation the BSP necessitates a new, powerful, and effective mechanism of democratism in itself, for itself and for the society.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party will confirm itself as a leading political force if only it succeeds in making the millions of its members supporters and voters real political, intellectual and moral participants in the reforms of the Bulgarian society e.i. if it remains in full to be a mass, democratic left party of the working people, rather than of an elite, acting on behalf of the working masses.
To this end the BSP necessitates effective political principles and organisational mechanisms.
The All-party and local forums, provided by the statute should be widely representative so that they can pick up the entire variety of points of view and assumptions while taking important political decisions.
In election process for all-party and local ruling bodies there should be applied in full swing the principle of delegating to these bodies representatives from the regions in question, from municipal and basic organisations. Thus the delegated representatives will bear responsibility not only before the Congress and the Party Conference, but before the organisations which have delegated them.
It is also necessary to expand the democracy while selecting and nominating leading cadres of the party itself, as well as of its representatives in the structures of state power. It is of advantage to use direct internal party elections when the candidates are being debated by members of the party or of certain organisations.
The practices of all-party referendums on essential issues of the life and activity of the BSP should be developed as well as referendums on a regional and municipal scale. A number of key political decisions, which are related to deeming of the party policy should be adopted after such referendums have been conducted. In the recent years in a very difficult moment the party successfully performed a very serious and delicate political act - it has changed by a referendum its name.
The conditions under which the BSP works today and the trends of its renovation demand further improvement of the relations between the bodies of various party levels, between the active figures of the election campaign and the experts in the party bodies.
In the span of the changes in the country and within the party itself has become evident that one-sided growth of horizontal structures at the expense of the vertical links does not increase but rather reduces the BSP political effectiveness. There is a need of the utmost co-ordination. But the vertical links in the BSP can be neither one-sidedly hierarchical, based on subordination, nor one-sided informational channels. Their further optimisation requires to bring to the fore front a new role of the medium and low party levels and bodies of the party in the process of elaborating, carrying out and appraising of its policy. It doesn't mean a tendency to a party federalisation, but a new political self-dependency in principle, initiativeness and responsibility of the party bodes and organisations in taking decisions, related to local issues, regional policy as well as to ,,big policy issues".
The growth of the role of the medium and low bodies will be in parallel with the growing role of the supreme ruling party bodies. They should focus on elaborating and implementation of all-party strategy and tactics, on guiding the formation and application of the practical policy of the party, on uniting and synchronising the activities of various party structures, on co-ordinating mass and parliamentary activity of the party, on providing respect to and implementation of the party Programme.
THE BSP AND THE STRUCTURES OF THE CIVIC SOCIETY
The BSP Relationship with the Other Political Parties and Organizations
The Bulgarian Socialist Party considers itself an integral part of the Bulgarian political life. It has no aspirations for uniqueness, for a historical predestination for hegemony over the other political parties.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party shares and strictly abides by the requirements, stipulated in the Constitution of Republic of Bulgaria and in the laws of the country with regard to the political subjects and their activities.
Based on its strategy of national consent the BSP unfolds its relations with other political organisations on the principles of equality and mutual respect, recognition of voters' vote, loyal competition, tolerance and constructiveness. The interaction with the left parties enjoys a natural priority. We are committed to two dialogue and links with all parties, social organisations and movements, which virtually work for the national interests, recognise the rights and freedoms of the personality, democratic values, regard with respect to the Constitution and the democratic institutions.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party stands for a variety of the national political spectrum so that there is a possibility of the most representative expression of the interests of various social strata and groups.
In its coalition policy the BSP via the necessity and possibility of setting up of a left or a left-wing alternative of the government in the country. It demands first of all partnership with the forces of the left in order to achieve common and similar views of the ways for solving the most topical problems of Bulgaria.
At the same time the Bulgarian Socialist party does not exclude the possibility in certain internal and international conditions and in the name of a deemed policy and after an election vote to put on the agenda the question of the ,,great coalition" with the participation of representative of left-wing, centrist and right-wing parties.
The BSP and the Civic Movements and Initiatives
With the consolidation of democracy in the country will grow in importance the civic actions, initiatives and movements. They are an essential expression of the direct democracy, a form of civic self-organization for solution of their own problems and the problems of society. The sympathies of the Bulgarian socialist party are with the democratic spirit and the moral charge of these structures of the civic commence. It will support the initiatives with law protecting, humanitarian, anti military, environmental, and health care purposes. The party recognises the ever growing importance of the civic organisations in contemporary and future society and calls upon its members, supporters and voters to actively participate in them.
The BSP's Attitude to Women and the Women's Movements
The Bulgarian Socialist Party rethinks its entire attitude towards the women in compliance with the radical changes due to the undergoing women's revolution world-wide. We, the socialists stand for uplifting the woman's role in social development and in political life, for putting into practice her specific social, human and creative potential, for protection of her rights and freedoms. The question is not only to avoid abuse of woman's freedom, dignity, rights and individual realisation at the expense of man or visa-versa, to avoid the sex discrimination, but to realize a high degree of harmony in the relations between men and women and to generate prerequisites and conditions for their full development and realisation.
This problem of world-wide dimensions has particularly acute aspects in present Bulgaria.
The high price of Bulgarian transition has a dramatic impact on the personal, family and social status of Bulgarian women. They are among the mostly affected by unemployment and the deformed market of labour. It hides risks for professional and individual degradation, for limitation of social contacts and for narrowing of the woman's spiritual outlook. She has lost her peace and guaranties for her integrity and for the security of her children.
Defending the women's right to labour, the BSP rejects the economic imposition of full employment, the exercising mainly of unqualified or poorly paid activities, accepting conditions of work, which run against the health and reproduction abilities of women. The Bulgarian Socialist party stands for a new model of women's employment, which accounts for her participation in the informal sectors and for raising of young generations thus going a step further to surmounting the contradiction between the maternity, working and other social types of women's realisation.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party will make efforts to improve the normative and financial base of the state and social care for maternity and child. It stands for preservation of the social privileges which stimulate and promote woman's personal development, the realisation of her unique role to grant life to new generations. This is not only a human motive but an important element of the national consent and one of the pillars of a perspective national strategy.
The Bulgarian Socialist party stands for state and social family protection and its values, for an effective contribution to the solution of such problems as finding a job, acquisition of dwelling, raising children and unfolding of private family business, provision of qualification or retraining, recreation and rehabilitation.
These problems are connected with the woman's place in the family, in society and at work and they can be only solved by the most energetic social activity of the women themselves. The BSP will keep close and constructive co-operation with women's organisations, which work for the protection of Bulgarian women's interests and of their children and families. Taking into consideration the considerable share of the women as party members and in the party social base the BSP will generate conditions for their increased representation and active participation in party activity and in the governing bodies.
The BSP, the Youth and the Youth's Organizations
The Bulgarian Socialist party holds that patenalism with regard to youth should be rejected. Instead, there must be a quest for national consent for working out a reasonable long-term state policy of intellectual, physical and social development of the Bulgarian youth. The socialists lay emphasis on the idea that the society and the state should create conditions for a social and working realisation of the young people, for helping them get education, for acquisition of self-dependent dwellings, for creating a family and raising of children.
The Bulgarian Socialist party appreciates and supports the activity of those youth's and students' organisations which pursue democratic, humanitarian, environmental, scientific, patriotic and cultural aims. connected with the development of the young generation. We respect their autonomy and do not impose any political or organisational conditions for contacts and interaction with them.
The BSP pays a particular attention to its relationship with the youth's organisations with a socialist or left-wing orientation. It respects their right to solve independently their political and organisational problems. The BSP holds that it is necessary to intensify the work of expanding the influence of the left ideas among the Bulgarian youth.
The Bulgarian Socialist party stands for the creation of social forms which can provide conditions for young people's participation in solving both the problems of their own and the problems of Bulgarian society.
The BSP and the Organizations of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism
There are traditions in Bulgaria for social organisations of physical culture, sports and tourism. The BSP stands for development and enrichment of these traditions and will support the consolidation and activities of organisational forms for mass and elite sports and tourism - clubs, societies, sections, federations etc. - with proved efficiency. We shall promote restoration and better economic functioning of the material base for sport and tourism.
The satisfaction of the necessities of physical exercises should be done by formation of age groups with different profiles. It is necessary to develop children's and juvenile's sports and high sport mastership as well as to consolidate the leading positions of the Bulgarian schools in world's sport.
The financing of sports and tourist activities in the market economy will be provided by subsidies from the central and local budgets, form the social funds, via sponsorship and advertisements, from paid cervices, from transfer of sportsmen and coaches etc.
The BSP and the Intelligentsia's Professional Clubs and Unions of Intellectuals
The process of democratisation and of transition to the new times is impossible without the intelligentsia, without the preservation of the traditions and realisation of new, better educated, qualified and cultured Bulgarian citizens.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party insists on preservation and development of the unions of intellectuals and on increasing their role in the society, on surmounting the confrontation and on nation's unity and defence of professional interests of scientists, teachers, doctors, authors of artefacts and cultural activists. We stand for a permanent dialogue on an equal footing between state institutions and unions of intellectuals in solving the problems of the spiritual sphere.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party will keep on treating the entire Bulgarian intelligentsia with great respect and appreciation.
On the left-wing intelligentsia, the members and supporters of the BSP among them, we, the socialists, rely in our party's activity and renovation.
The BSP and the Trade Unions, Organizations of Employers and of Social Partnership
The Bulgarian Socialist party stands for the independence and non-party engagement of the Trade Unions, strives for a constructive co-operation with all Trade Unions in the interest of the working people.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party regards the defence of the Trade Union's independence as one of the most essential guaranty for further development of the democratic processes in the country and for an effective protection of the socio-economic interests of the working people.
Guided by a left-wing party orientation of its legislative initiatives, the BSP finds the co-operation with the Trade Unions for the preparation of a social discussion of the draft-laws, guaranteeing the socio-economic rights of the citizens, as a natural one.
The Bulgarian Socialist party is open for dialogue with the Organizations of Employers from the state and private sector. It will support mutual readiness of workers and employers for reasonable compromises in order to overcome the gap between economic profit and social requirements.
It is natural for the BSP to have preference to the Trade Union organisations which have as their members in the majority - Party members and supporters.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party will make efforts to consolidate the system of tripartite partnership between the Trade Unions, Employers and the State. The presence and the role of the state is in the tripartite formula of regulating labour relations, in negotiations on the changes of the structures of property, technologies, markets and products, in solving the environmental problems. Tripartite partnership and the responsible conduct of all its participants will have a significant importance for the defence of the working people's interests for achievement of an acceptable social agreement in the complicated and difficult conditions of the transition of our country.
The BSP and the Co-operative Movement
The Bulgarian Socialist Party has traditional links with the co-operative movement. The socialists view the co-operative as an effective economic and social form, recognize its big potential in the transition and will do everything they can for its protection, consolidation and modernisation. Present Bulgaria needs modern co-operative societies, a flexible contemporary co-operative movement.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party proposes legislative and managerial measures which can guarantee free associations of private owners as well as state support for such volunteer associations. The modern co-operation for production, commercial, credit, cultural and other purposes, and namely the association for business purposes is one of the ways for taking the country out of the crisis. This is not only a chance and field of expression for the small an medium proprietors, but also a possibility for professional realisation of highly qualified Bulgarian workers and specialists. The negative approach to the co-operative movement or the encroachments against it are considered by the BSP as an anti-Constitutional tendency limiting the rights of the private owners and of economic democracy.
The Bulgarian Socialist party calls on its members, supporters and voters to be active participants in the co-operatives and in the co-operative movement.
