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protected. The problem with the new political right, which is represented by GERD, is not whether they are right or left, but whether they are democratic. Their governance has serious democratic deficits. And the worst is not only that they are unaware of this, but that they turn these into their own positives which actually take us back to decades ago. However, in order for people to have an alternative, they need to see enough integrity and transparency in it and it should be based on the best traditions of the political right. And regardless of the criticisms to which we were exposed, the government between 1997 and 2001 was like that. Not because I was part of it, but because the mere fact that Bulgaria started negotiations with the European Union and removed visas was the result of teamwork. I have said many times that this is not a matter of foreign policy, but a matter of domestic policy. No matter how successful the actions of foreign ministers are, they cannot do anything if they are not supported by a stable, predictable and serious domestic policy. This good experience should give us the confidence and courage to go ahead and develop it under the new conditions and with new people.

However, giving up your roots and looking for options to collect what is irrecoverable, as well as accumulating politicians, parties, emotions, traditions, etc. does not work in my opinion.

What are your personal plans from here on? Will you run for an MEP?

I probably will. I say this because at the moment "Blue Unity" is having talks (and I insist on the word “talks”, and not "negotiations") in search of support for the European Parliament’s list, which will basically be representative of our idea of a single right-wing party. This list will basically be the political message of what we think should happen with the political right.

"Blue unity" was created as a party not in order to participate in the latest political combinations and make survival coalitions with various other formations just in order to pass the barrier, but rather as a sign or a message to people that a new house should be built around the political right, along with the experience and good practices. The new house should be built on the pulled-down foundations of the old building and not like Bulgarians like it - first a small house, then an additional building, then another building, an additional glazed balcony and a “hat” on top of everything. In order for the house to be robust and withstand earthquakes, winds and storms, it has to be a real house.

In this sense, we hope to get support for such a list. If we receive it from NGOs, individuals and political parties, our idea is to gather them on this platform after the European elections, and if they agree, they will become co-founders of this new traditional political right. Then I will be ready to represent this message. But now talks are still ongoing, so it is still too early to say anything.

How do you see the political situation in Greece? Do you think that the government of Samaras will be able to stay until the end of its term?

More important is whether the government of Samaras will take the necessary and important steps in order to restore the confidence in Greece not only in its partners outside, but in people in institutions within the country itself. I think that this is the challenge for the government of Samaras.

As a bystander, if you ask me whether it is more important for him to finish his mandate or to do the right things, of course I would say both. But if I had to choose - in all cases these would be the right things. And this is what I can wish the Greek government: to be tough in terms of reforms. Experience has shown me that this costs a lot, but in this way the government will be remembered in history for something good, since sometimes people remain in history for bad things. I believe that they have a chance to show that Greece has the right to a new opportunity to bring it back to where it was as an authority and respected member of the European Union.