site.btaGovernment Spokesman Anton Koutev Resigns

Sofia, November 17 (BTA) - The spokesman of the caretaker government, Anton Koutev, resigned on Wednesday. He said in a Facebook post that his decision was promoted by "campaign speculations" and his desire "not to cause unnecessary tensions for the government".

Koutev's name was mentioned by Socialist leader Kornelia Ninova a day earlier as she announced her upcoming resignation as party leader. She said that she was surprised to hear calls for her resignations from Koutev, who spoke in public rather than at a Socialist party forum. In her words, that left the impression that he was speaking on behalf of the caretaker government.

Koutev was a ranking member of the Socialist party and MP in several parliaments.

He rejected Ninova's accusations and said that he urged her to step down on his personal Facebook page and his position did not commit the government in any way, or even less the President. LN/