Prime minister transforms ruling movement into party, says construction of nuclear power plant will resume

Prime minister transforms ruling movement into party, says construction of nuclear power plant will resume
Sat Apr 6, 2:24 PM ET

By VESELIN ZHELEV, Associated Press Writer

SOFIA, Bulgaria - Prime Minister Simeon Saxcoburggotski on Saturday transformed his civic movement into a political party in an apparent attempt to strengthen his grip on power.

Some 1,000 members of the National Movement Simeon II voted unanimously to create a party that keeps the movement's name.

"This is not a technical formality but the beginning of the renovation of our country, which I aim at," said Saxcoburggotski, a former Bulgarian king. "Only a party with units all over the country and open to as many members as possible will guarantee the success of the National Movement values."

Saxcoburggotski also announced the government would resume the construction of Bulgaria's second nuclear power plant. The construction was frozen in 1990 after pressure from environmentalists.

The pledge to finish the plant, located near the Danube port of Belene, 250 kilometers (156 miles) northeast of Sofia, aimed to alleviate fears that Bulgaria may face power shortages and electricity price increases after it later this year closes two of six Soviet-designed reactors at its only nuclear plant in Kozlodui, 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Sofia.

Bulgaria agreed to shut down the units under pressure from the European Union, which considers them unsafe.

"I shall not betray the national interests in the field of nuclear power," Saxcoburggotski said. "The government intends to continue the construction of the Belene nuclear plant, which will be in conformity with all modern requirements for reliability and safety."

The members also elected Saxcoburggotski as leader of the new party. He was the only candidate running for the post.

The transformation of the movement appeared to be an attempt to tighten discipline among Saxcoburggotski's lawmakers. Five of them recently criticized the government of defaulting on its promises of quick economic improvement. The movement expelled all five dissenters.

"The commitment you must make today must be equal to my commitment," Saxcoburggotski told the meeting. "We are not here today to create a new political class, but to convince those who doubt."

The new party will be close to European center right parties, he said, indicating the party won't change the movement's politics.

Since sweeping to power in last June's general elections, Saxcoburggotski's government has lost popularity mainly due to its failure to fulfill election promises of substantial improvement of dismal living standards.

Bulgarians on average earn 275 leva (dlrs 125) per month. The unemployment rate is close to 18 percent.

But Saxcoburggotski argued his reforms already have produced positive results — there were 35,000 more jobs in March this year as compared to a year ago, and crime dropped 16 percent in the first quarter this year as compared to the same time period 2001.