# Yes, Bulgaria!
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{{Short description|Bulgarian political party}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox political party
| name = Yes, Bulgaria!
| native_name = Да, България!
| logo = 250px
| colorcode = {{Political party data|color}}
| leader = [Bozhidar Bozhanov](/source/Bozhidar_Bozhanov)
[Ivaylo Mirchev](/source/Ivaylo_Mirchev)
| abbreviation = DaB!
| founder = [Hristo Ivanov](/source/Hristo_Ivanov_(politician))
| founded = {{start date and age|2017|01|07|df=y}}
| headquarters = [Dragan Tsankov](/source/Dragan_Tsankov) Blvd, [Sofia](/source/Sofia), [Bulgaria](/source/Bulgaria)
| youth_wing = Young Bulgaria (МлаДа България)
| national = [Democratic Bulgaria](/source/Democratic_Bulgaria) (2018-present)
[PP–DB](/source/We_Continue_the_Change_%E2%80%93_Democratic_Bulgaria) (2023-present)
| ideology = [Liberalism](/source/Liberalism) ([Bulgarian](/source/Liberalism_and_radicalism_in_Bulgaria)){{refn|[{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/d4b7ba4c-0339-4f8d-8046-8aa1b922db73|date=2021-07-12|access-date=2022-08-01|title=Bulgaria poll heralds paralysis as protest parties fall short of majority|publisher=Financial Times}}][{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-bulgaria-government-minister-idUKKBN25M1L0|date=2020-08-26|access-date=2022-08-01|title=Bulgarian justice minister resigns amid anti-graft protests|publisher=Reuters}}][{{cite web|url= https://www.24chasa.bg/bulgaria/article/10215957 |date=2021-09-25|access-date=2022-12-07|title=За седми път по Третия път в търсене на спасител |publisher=24 часа}}]}}
[Anti-corruption](/source/Anti-corruption)[{{cite web|url=https://seenews.com/news/bulgarias-centre-right-gerb-wins-early-election-exit-polls-562914|title=Bulgaria's centre-right GERB wins early election - exit polls|language=en|publisher=SeeNews|date=26 March 2017|access-date=17 October 2022}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/anti-corruption-party-launches-in-bulgaria-as-election-approaches/|title=Anti-corruption party launches in Bulgaria as election approaches|language=en|publisher=[Euractive](/source/Euractive)|date=9 January 2017|access-date=17 October 2022}}]
[Pro-Europeanism](/source/Pro-Europeanism)[{{Cite news|url=https://www.euractiv.de/section/all/news/atomkraftprojekt-mit-russischen-reaktoren-spaltet-bulgarische-politik/|title=Bau von russischem Atomkraftwerk spaltet Bulgarien|first1= Emiliya|last1=Milcheva|first2=Krasen|last2=Nikolov|newspaper=[Euractiv](/source/Euractiv)|date=February 21, 2022|via=www.euractiv.de}}]
| position = [Centre](/source/Centrism) to [centre-right](/source/centre-right)[{{cite web|url=https://clubz.bg/147578?fbclid=IwAR0Jd4KxjeusglezuGpoKSI1b3DuFbBKS6LR_HYq1JcNhGt6Sdtwvb6xc_I_aem_AWLT_7lPYdYJTJnsefw1IiJg5T3zaRpM7-BOSy0gWuUHkyvYOUILObjWvZ-sM3n0jKw|title=Членство в ЕНП, консолидация с ДСБ, новите избори са лош вариант. Христо Иванов зададе пътя пред партията си|date=9 March 2024}}]
| colours = {{color box|{{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}|border=darkgray}} [Green](/source/Green)
{{color box|#48165D|border=darkgray}} [Purple](/source/Purple)[{{cite web|url=https://clubz.bg/147578?fbclid=IwAR0Jd4KxjeusglezuGpoKSI1b3DuFbBKS6LR_HYq1JcNhGt6Sdtwvb6xc_I_aem_AWLT_7lPYdYJTJnsefw1IiJg5T3zaRpM7-BOSy0gWuUHkyvYOUILObjWvZ-sM3n0jKw|title=Членство в ЕНП, консолидация с ДСБ, новите избори са лош вариант. Христо Иванов зададе пътя пред партията си|date=9 March 2024}}]
| seats1_title = [National Assembly](/source/National_Assembly_(Bulgaria))
| seats1 = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|ms-lower-house}}
| seats2_title = [European Parliament](/source/European_Parliament)
| seats2 = {{Political party data|seat composition bar|EP}}
| seats3_title = [Sofia City Council](/source/Sofia_City_Council)
| seats3 = {{Infobox political party/seats|5|61|hex={{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| website = {{Political party data|website}}
| country = Bulgaria
}}
'''Yes, Bulgaria!''' ({{langx|bg|Да, България!|translit=Da, Balgariya!}}, '''DaB!'''), is a [Bulgarian political party](/source/List_of_political_parties_in_Bulgaria), founded in January 2017 by former [Minister of Justice](/source/Justice_ministry) [Hristo Ivanov](/source/Hristo_Ivanov_(politician)).[{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178030/Yes%2C+Bulgaria+Movement+To+Become+Political+Party|title=Yes, Bulgaria Movement To Become Political Party|publisher=Novinite.com|date=21 December 2016|access-date=29 March 2017}}] Yes, Bulgaria! is part of an electoral alliance with the [Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria](/source/Democrats_for_a_Strong_Bulgaria) called [Democratic Bulgaria](/source/Democratic_Bulgaria).[https://www.svobodnaevropa.bg/a/29928821.html, Radio Free Europe Bulgaria, 9 May 2019]
==History==
The party was founded on 7 January 2017, by Hristo Ivanov, who served as Deputy Prime Minister and [Minister of Justice](/source/Ministry_of_Justice_(Bulgaria)) in the [caretaker](/source/Caretaker_government) [Bliznashki Cabinet](/source/Bliznashki_Government) from 6 August 2014 until 7 November 2014. He then served as Minister of Justice in the [Second Borisov Cabinet](/source/Second_Borisov_Government) from 7 November 2014 until his resignation on 9 December 2015, submitted in protest of failed attempts at judicial reform.[{{cite web|url=http://www.mediapool.bg/gerb-blamira-sadebnata-reforma-hristo-ivanov-podade-ostavka-news242864.html|title=ГЕРБ бламира съдебната реформа, Христо Иванов подаде оставка|language=bg|publisher=Mediapool.bg|date=9 December 2015|access-date=29 March 2017}}] At its first meeting, Ivanov outlined the party's three main priorities – "to ensure the rule of law and efficient and accessible justice; to accelerate the pace of growth of the country; and the fight against systemic poverty and for raising the standards of living."[{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178238/Ex-Justice+Min+Heads+Yes%2C+Bulgaria+Party%2C+Vowing+to+Fight+Corruption|title=Ex-Justice Min Heads Yes, Bulgaria Party, Vowing to Fight Corruption|publisher=Novinite.com|date=8 January 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}]
According to the ''Sofia Globe'', "[Ivanov](/source/Hristo_Ivanov_(politician)) did something few Bulgarian politicians have done before him: He stood up for his principles."[{{Cite web|url=http://sofiaglobe.com/2017/03/12/parliamentary-elections-yes-bulgaria-a-movement-for-change/|title=Parliamentary Elections: "Yes, Bulgaria!", a movement for change|date=2017-03-12|website=The Sofia Globe|access-date=2017-05-16|archive-date=21 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921111946/https://sofiaglobe.com/2017/03/12/parliamentary-elections-yes-bulgaria-a-movement-for-change/|url-status=dead}}]{{better source needed|date=May 2020}}
On 11 January 2017, Ivanov was elected as the party's chairman, together with an Executive Council of 13 parliamentary deputies. Two days later Yes, Bulgaria! submitted their registration documents for the [upcoming parliamentary elections](/source/2017_Bulgarian_parliamentary_election) at the end of March.[{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178328/Yes%2C+Bulgaria+To+File+for+Registration+on+Friday|title=Yes, Bulgaria To File for Registration on Friday|publisher=Novinite.com|date=12 January 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}] In the following weeks, several political formations approached the new party in order to form a possible coalition for the elections, including [The Greens](/source/The_Greens_(Bulgaria)), DEOS and the [Bulgaria for Citizens Movement](/source/Bulgaria_for_Citizens_Movement).[{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178351/Yes%2C+Bulgaria+Receives+Offers+of+Co-operation|title=Yes, Bulgaria Receives Offers of Co-operation|publisher=Novinite.com|date=14 January 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}] [Radan Kanev](/source/Radan_Kanev)'s [Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria](/source/Democrats_for_a_Strong_Bulgaria), which had previously split from the [Reformist Bloc](/source/Reformist_Bloc) in November 2016, offered to unite with Ivanov's party.[{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/177307/DSB+Leaves+Bulgaria%27s+Reformist+Bloc|title=DSB Leaves Bulgaria's Reformist Bloc|publisher=Novinite.com|date=9 November 2016|access-date=29 March 2017}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178548/New+Republic+Makes+Unification+Offer+to+Yes%2C+Bulgaria|title=New Republic Makes Unification Offer to Yes, Bulgaria|publisher=Novinite.com|date=25 January 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}] In response, Yes, Bulgaria! announced they will attempt to run independently, with Ivanov saying that “it is fair to establish a long-term connection with the voter, to have our own image," thus rejecting the offer from Kanev's now re-branded 'New Republic' coalition.[{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178576/Yes%2C+Bulgaria+To+Take+Part+in+Snap+Elections+Independently|title=Yes, Bulgaria To Take Part in Snap Elections Independently|publisher=Novinite.com|date=27 January 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}]
On 30 January, the Sofia Municipal Court approved the registration of Yes, Bulgaria! as a political party, but three subsequent official complaints against that decision meant the leadership was forced to look for a possible coalition in order to make the deadline for registration.[{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178611/Court+OKs+Registration+of+Yes%2C+Bulgaria+Party|title=Court OKs Registration of Yes, Bulgaria Party|publisher=Novinite.com|date=30 January 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}] On February 8, Hristo Ivanov announced that an agreement to form a coalition between Yes, Bulgaria!, The Greens and DEOS had been reached, and registration would be possible after the collection of over 20,000 signatures in one day.[{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178779/Yes%2C+Bulgaria+to+Register+with+Greens%2C+DEOS+in+Early+Election|title=Yes, Bulgaria to Register with Greens, DEOS in Early Election|publisher=Novinite.com|date=8 February 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}] All three complaints were later withdrawn, and despite further appeals to the Central Electoral Commission, the coalition was cleared for participation on February 15.[{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178883/All+3+Complaints+Against+Registration+of+Yes%2C+Bulgaria+Withdrawn|title=All 3 Complaints Against Registration of Yes, Bulgaria Withdrawn|publisher=Novinite.com|date=14 February 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}][{{cite web|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178907/SAC+Rejects+Appeals+Against+Yes%2C+Bulgaria|title=SAC Rejects Appeals Against Yes, Bulgaria|publisher=Novinite.com|date=15 February 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}]
According to ''Novinite'', "The Greens are Bulgaria's most active environmentalist party, while DEOS is a liberal organization focusing on the 'rule of law', active civic participation, and minorities."[{{Cite news|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178779/Yes,+Bulgaria+to+Register+with+Greens,+DEOS+in+Early+Election|title=Yes, Bulgaria to Register with Greens, DEOS in Early Election – Novinite.com – Sofia News Agency|access-date=2017-05-16}}]
At the 2017 elections, Yes, Bulgaria won a total of 101,217 votes, or 2.96% of all votes cast, leaving it as the 7th largest formation, but without parliamentary representation.[{{cite web|url=https://results.cik.bg/pi2017/rezultati/index.html|title=ПАРЛАМЕНТАРНИ ИЗБОРИ 26 МАРТ 2017|language=bg|publisher=Central Electoral Commission|date=28 March 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}] In [Sofia](/source/Sofia)'s three constituencies, the party gained a total of 7.77% of all votes cast, coming in at 4th place, less than 1,000 votes behind 3rd placed [United Patriots](/source/United_Patriots). In total, more than 70,000 votes (almost 70%) came from Sofia, [Plovdiv](/source/Plovdiv), and [Varna](/source/Varna%2C_Bulgaria), as well as from [Bulgarians abroad](/source/Bulgarian_diaspora).[{{cite web |title=Предложихме мерки в помощ на софийската икономика |url=https://sofia.demokrati.bg/document/merki-v-pomosht-na-sofijskata-ikonomika/?fbclid=IwAR0kZzTB7x32He6u3x4BPqdOK3OCPIWBQP3le5c7yYzS1vpYenEuWVfE5ek |website=Demokratichna Bulgaria |language=bg |access-date=4 April 2020}}][{{cite web |title="Демократична България" предлага десет пъти по-нисък данък за отдаване на апартамент под наем в София |url=https://www.dnevnik.bg/bulgaria/2020/03/30/4048250_demokratichna_bulgariia_predlaga_deset_puti_po-nisuk/ |website=dnevnik.bg |access-date=4 April 2020 |language=bg |date=30 March 2020}}]
[Hristo Ivanov](/source/Hristo_Ivanov_(politician)) and the entire party leadership announced on 15 November their resignation following the DB coalition's poor results in the 14 November elections.[{{Cite web|title=Elections: Hristo Ivanov and the Entire Management of 'Yes, Bulgaria' Resign |url=https://www.novinite.com/articles/212256/Elections%3A+Hristo+Ivanov+and+the+Entire+Management+of+%22Yes%2C+Bulgaria%22+Resign|access-date=15 November 2021|website=Novinite}}] He was re-elected as leader in January 2022.[{{Cite web |date=2022-01-29 |title=Hristo Ivanov re-elected as leader of Yes Bulgaria |url=https://sofiaglobe.com/2022/01/29/hristo-ivanov-re-elected-as-leader-of-yes-bulgaria/ |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=The Sofia Globe |language=en-US}}]
=== Founders ===
Founders of the party included “intellectuals, entrepreneurs, artists and many others, who had "intolerance" for corruption and poverty.[{{Cite news|url=http://www.novinite.com/articles/178238/Ex-Justice+Min+Heads+Yes,+Bulgaria+Party,+Vowing+to+Fight+Corruption|title=Ex-Justice Min Heads Yes, Bulgaria Party, Vowing to Fight Corruption |work=Novinite|access-date=2017-05-16}}] Some of the party's founders included Dr. Boryana Museva (associate professor of law at [Sofia University](/source/Sofia_University)), economist Vera Asenova, former tennis player [Manuela Maleeva](/source/Manuela_Maleeva), and associate law professor Kristian Takov (until his death in 2017).[{{Cite news|url=https://de.reuters.com/article/us-bulgaria-politics-idUSKBN14R0I6|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022152951/https://de.reuters.com/article/us-bulgaria-politics-idUSKBN14R0I6|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 October 2020|title=Anti-corruption party launches in Bulgaria as election approaches|access-date=2017-01-08}}][{{Cite news|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2017/01/09/new-party-vows-to-blow-corruption-and-end-poverty-in-bulgaria-01-07-2017/|title=New Bulgarian Party Vows to 'Break System'|access-date=2017-01-09}}]
One notable member of Yes, Bulgaria is activist Georgi Iliev. He “was one of the organizers of protests during the [Peevski](/source/Delyan_Peevski) scandal the Socialist-led government caused” in 2013.[{{Cite news|url=https://www.dnevnik.bg/politika/2024/06/10/4636229_hristo_ivanov_podava_ostavka_kato_lider_na_da_bulgariia/|title=Христо Иванов подаде оставка като лидер на "Да, България" (обновена)|access-date=2024-06-11}}]
==Political views==
thumb|340px|right|2017 parliamentary election results by province, showing the party's disproportionately strong showing in the 3 largest cities, as well as abroad.
In its founding declaration, the party featured seven major principles – personal freedoms and [human rights](/source/human_rights), justice via [rule of law](/source/rule_of_law), security through democracy and strong institutions, serving the public interest, creation of wealth through entrepreneurship and [free enterprise](/source/Capitalism), social solidarity, as well as pluralism and freedom of [public debate](/source/Public_sphere). The document also outlined the party's 11 major goals. These included judicial, regulatory and media reforms, [anti-corruption](/source/Political_corruption) measures, increased economic growth, a focus on transparent administration and [e-governance](/source/e-governance), higher education standards, [civic engagement](/source/civic_engagement), energy independence and preservation of the country's national resources, as well as a completion of its integration into the [European Union](/source/European_Union) structures – full membership in the [Eurozone](/source/Eurozone), [Schengen](/source/Schengen_Area) and the [banking union](/source/banking_union).[{{cite web|url=https://dabulgaria.bg/za-nas/dokumenti/uchreditelna-deklaratsiya/|title=УЧРЕДИТЕЛНА ДЕКЛАРАЦИЯ|language=bg|publisher=Yes, Bulgaria!|date=7 January 2017|access-date=29 March 2017}}][{{cite web|url=https://dabulgaria.bg/za-nas/dokumenti/26841-2/|title=УСТАВ НА ПОЛИТИЧЕСКА ПАРТИЯ "ДВИЖЕНИЕ ДА БЪЛГАРИЯ"|language=bg|publisher=Yes, Bulgaria!|date=7 January 2017|access-date=29 March 2017|archive-date=29 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329141518/https://dabulgaria.bg/za-nas/dokumenti/26841-2/|url-status=dead}}]
Yes, Bulgaria's founder Hristo Ivanov has been particularly vocal about the necessity for reform in Bulgaria's justice system. He has raised concern about the excessive powers and lack of accountability of Bulgaria's General Prosecutor [Sotir Tsatsarov](/source/Sotir_Tsatsarov). He has emphasized that Bulgaria's Prosecution has a Stalinist model which compromises the rule of law.[{{cite web|url=https://clubz.bg/38459-hristo_ivanov_prokuraturata_e_izgradena_po_stalinski_model|title=Христо Иванов: Прокуратурата е изградена по сталински модел|publisher=clubz.bg|date=19 April 2016|access-date=26 November 2017}}] He has repeatedly asked for [Sotir Tsatsarov](/source/Sotir_Tsatsarov)'s resignation as the Prosecution was allegedly involved in major corruption scandals.[{{cite web|url=https://frognews.bg/obshtestvo/aktualno/hristo-ivanov-iska-ostavkata-sotir-tsatsarov.html|title=Христо Иванов иска оставката на Сотир Цацаров|publisher=frognews.bg|date=20 April 2016|access-date=26 November 2017}}]
==Election results==
===National Assembly===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|-
! Election
! Leader
! Votes
! %
! Seats
! +/–
! Government
|-
! [2017](/source/2017_Bulgarian_parliamentary_election)
| rowspan="7" | [Hristo Ivanov](/source/Hristo_Ivanov_(politician))
| 101,177
| 2.88 (#7)
| {{composition bar|0|240|hex={{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| New
| {{No|Extra-parliamentary}}
|-
! [Apr 2021](/source/April_2021_Bulgarian_parliamentary_election){{efn|name="DB"|Run as part of the [Democratic Bulgaria](/source/Democratic_Bulgaria) coalition.}}
| 302,280
| 9.31 (#5)
| {{composition bar|13|240|hex={{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| {{increase}} 13
| {{partial2|Snap election}}
|-
{{efn|name="DB"}}
| 345,331
| 12.48 (#4)
| {{Composition bar|19|240|{{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| {{increase}} 6
| {{partial2|Snap election}}
|-
{{efn|name="DB"}}
|166,968
|6.28 (#6)
| {{Composition bar|7|240|{{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| {{decrease}} 12
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
|- style=height:3em
{{efn|name="DB"}}
| 186,511
| 7.45 (#6)
| {{Composition bar|9|240|{{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| {{increase}} 2
| {{partial2|Snap election}}
|-
{{efn|name="PP-DB"|Run as part of the [PP–DB](/source/PP%E2%80%93DB) coalition.}}
| 621,069
| 23.54 (#2)
| {{Composition bar|13|240|{{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| {{increase}} 4
| {{yes2|Coalition}}
|-
{{efn|name="PP-DB"}}
| 307,849
| 13.92 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|9|240|{{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| {{decrease}} 4
| {{partial2|Snap election}}
|-
{{efn|name="PP-DB"}}
| Vacant
| 346,063
| 13.74 (#2)
| {{Composition bar|12|240|{{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| {{increase}} 3
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|-
{{efn|name="PP-DB"}}
| [Bozhidar Bozhanov](/source/Bozhidar_Bozhanov)
[Ivaylo Mirchev](/source/Ivaylo_Mirchev)
| 408,846
| 12.42 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|13|240|{{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| {{increase}} 1
| {{no2|Opposition}}
|}
{{Notelist}}
=== European Parliament ===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|-
! Election
! List leader
! Votes
! %
! Seats
! +/–
! EP Group
|-
! [2019](/source/2019_European_Parliament_election_in_Bulgaria){{efn|Part of the [Democratic Bulgaria](/source/Democratic_Bulgaria) coalition, that won 1 seat}}
| [Radan Kanev](/source/Radan_Kanev)
| 154,996
| 5.88 (#5)
| {{Composition bar|0|17|hex={{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| New
| rowspan=2 |–
|-
! [2024](/source/2024_European_Parliament_election_in_Bulgaria){{efn|Part of the [PP-DB](/source/PP-DB) coalition, that won 3 seats}}
| [Nikola Minchev](/source/Nikola_Minchev)
| 290,865
| 14.45 (#3)
| {{Composition bar|0|17|hex={{party color|Yes, Bulgaria!}}}}
| {{steady}} 0
|}
{{Notelist}}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
*[https://dabulgaria.bg/ Official website]
{{Bulgarian political parties}}
Category:Political parties established in 2017
Category:2017 establishments in Bulgaria
Category:Liberal parties in Bulgaria
Category:Pro-European political parties in Bulgaria
Category:Anti-corruption parties
---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Yes, Bulgaria!](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes%2C_Bulgaria!) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yes%2C_Bulgaria!?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.