site.btaSocialist Coalition Expels Agrarians after They Decide to Run in Upcoming Elections on Their Own

Sofia, June 21 (BTA) - The coalition board of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) for Bulgaria coalition decided Monday to expel the Agrarians of the Alexander Stamboliiski Agrarian Union. BSP said in a press release that their decision is based on the coalition agreement which says that any partner who choses to run in any elections on its own and not as part of the coalition, shall be expelled.

A congress of the Agrarians on Saturday decided that they would run on their own in the upcoming elections.

BSP also said that the Agrarian Union have been lobbying for accord with GERB in respect to certain policies and the Socialists would not have that.

BSP believes that the two Agrarian MPs in the BSP for Bulgaria group should give up their seats "for ethical considerations" as they are no longer part of the Socialists' coalition.

It is not clear whether the Agrarians would do that or choose to stay in Parliament as independents.