site.btaBozhidar Loukarski Re-elected Chairman of Right-wing Union of Democratic Forces

Bozhidar Loukarski Re-elected Chairman of Right-wing Union of Democratic Forces

Sofia, May 13 (BTA) - Bozhidar Loukaraski was re-elected Chairman of the right-wing Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) in an open ballot vote during the 22nd National Conference of the UDF on Saturday. Loukarski was supported by 521 delegates while the other contender for the post, Todor Grozdanov, got 79 votes. Ten delegates abstained.

The whole leadership of the UDF stepped down in late March in the wake of the poor performance in the March 26 elections of its Reformist Bloc coalition.

UDF deputy chairman Roumen Hristov noted at the start of the conference the difficult situation of the formation.

An address from European People's Party President Joseph Daul was read out at the conference. In it Daul noted that the loss of 2/3 of the votes won in 2014 was a big step-down but can also determine the strategy for the future.

In his report to the delegates, Loukarski suggested holding "a programme conference" in the autumn to decide whether a new rightist unification should be sought. He once again demanded his fellow party members' confidence for the post and said that if elected, he will spend more time among the grass roots.

Loukarski said that the UDF should identify a new national cause and come up with a vision for a new policy. "A strong right is possible only with the UDF but the UDF should be its hub," Loukarski told reporters. For a strong rightist presence he is ready to speak with the leaders of the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria and of Yes, Bulgaria, although in his words, "it is not clear whether [Yes, Bulgaria] leader Hristo Ivanov is a rightist politician".