site.btaReformist Bloc:"Let's Rally behind Optimum Programme within Optimum Timeframe"

Reformist Bloc:
"Let's Rally behind Optimum Programme
within Optimum Timeframe"


Sofia, October 6 (BTA) - "We must rally behind a possibly
optimum programme within an optimum timeframe," Democrats for
Strong Bulgaria leader Radan Kanev told an election night news
conference of the Reformist Bloc (RB) at Sofia's National Palace
of Culture in the small hours of Monday. In his words, the next
parliament will definitely not serve out its full term.

"The Reformist Bloc has doubled its result compared to the [May
2014] European Parliament elections," Union of Democratic Forces
leader Bozhidar Loukarski said. "We are waiting for the final
results, and we pay particularly close attention to the results
of the sections abroad, as we expect a large part of the votes
cast there to have been for the RB," he said.

"For us, it's important to realize that the present result,
which is double that of the European elections, entails a
serious responsibility and we can't lie to the people who gave
us a credit of confidence," said Kanev.

The RB representatives were repeatedly asked whether they remain
committed to their declared position to stay out of any
government headed by GERB leader Boyko Borissov. Loukarski
answered that, as the largest parliamentary party, GERB is bound
to nominate the members of the new cabinet and propose a format
for a possible future coalition. "We are nationally responsible
politicians, and to us the personal remarks are far less
important than forming a stable government for Bulgaria,"
Loukarski added.

Replying to a question, Kanev recalled the Bloc's categorical
position that it will not participate in a government in which
the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) shares or which it
supports.

Bulgaria for the Citizens leader Meglena Kuneva commented that
the RB does not complain and has so far heard complaints from
the political force that has won the largest percentage of the
votes. "Being first is a success but also a great
responsibility," Kuneva said. In her words, if GERB fails yet
again to form a cabinet even though it is the foremost political
force, "something profound has gone wrong".

The media set great store by a statement that Loukarski
allegedly made to "24 Chassa" on polling day. Asked whether the
RB will continue to insist that Borissov should not be prime
minister and Tsvetan Tsvetanov should not be a minister,
Loukarski reportedly answered: "I think that it will be healthy
for GERB if Tsvetanov is not a minister. We can't set
conditions. Again, this used to be a trick to boost our voter
support - I'm just kidding." Asked at the news conference
whether he really said that, Loukarski stated that he had been
misquoted and he did not use the word "trick".

* * *

The contestants that were supposed to give election night news
conferences after the RB: the Patriotic Front, Bulgaria without
Censorship, Ataka and ABV, have postponed their media
appearances. PK/LG