site.btaPresident Radev Continues Consultations with Socialists, GERB Before Handing Exploratory Mandate

President Radev Continues Consultations with Socialists, GERB Before Handing Exploratory Mandate

Sofia, April 25 (BTA) - President Rumen Radev conferred here on Tuesday with representatives of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), and then with GERB, as part of his round of political consultations with parliamentary forces before handing the exploratory government-forming mandate to the largest one, GERB.

Socialist leader Kornelia Ninova said after the consultations that she and the President have confirmed their position that, being the second-largest political group in Parliament, BSP for Bulgaria will remain in opposition in the 44th National Assembly and be an alternative to GERB's and the United Patriots'
governance programme, if they manage to form a cabinet.

Ninova said that BSP will submit proposals to amend existing legislation or adopt new one, which will correspond to her party's election campaign commitments. According to the Socialists, GERB and the United Patriots have backed out from their campaign promises, Ninova said, giving as an example the United Patriots' promised income growth and 300 leva minimum monthly pension, which was reduced to 200 leva during the talks with GERB.

President Radev has accepted BSP's proposal to convene the Consultative Council on National Security to discuss the "demographic catastrophe" and "poverty", but is yet to determined when and how he will do so.

Ninova said that national consensus should be sought on how to avoid the demographic crisis and the impoverishment of Bulgariancitizens. The Socialists have confirmed their position that they will seek national consensus on matters of national security and the upcoming Bulgarian EU Council presidency.

Emerging from the consultations, GERB leader Boyko Borissov said that Radev was familiarized with the serious negotiations on forming a cabinet between GERB and the United Patriots. "Having learned the lessons from previous years, we are trying to smooth out in the coalition agreement all details and play out all conflict situations during a government term, so that it can be stable during its four-year mandate," Borissov said. He noted the complicated domestic and international situation, adding that they are obliged to form a government, given the people's will and the distribution of parties in Parliament. All other formulas do not add up mathematically. "Unfortunately, we have to once again bear the cross - in this case the United Patriots are with us - this is the only formula that would guarantee a government," Borissov said.

Borissov described BSP's earlier statements about the Socialists providing support important matters for Bulgaria, as populism and eyewash. He added that GERB has proposed that parties unite around Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency, which in his words is the most constructive thing to do. "The echo of our victory in the general elections can still be heard, and there is already talk about how and when new elections will be held and instability will be sought. How is this constructive?" Borissov asked.

According to the GERB leader, the Socialists are behaving irresponsibly after losing the elections with their continuing talk and promises about increasing incomes. There is not enough money, he said.

"We are just obliged to be responsible. We have a lot of work to do. It is neither pleasant, nor something to brag or be happy about," Borissov said.

The GERB leader said that the ministers in the future cabinet have not been discussed during the negotiations with the United Patriots. The programme, means and mechanism, according to which the government will work were discussed. The ministers will be talked about on May 3, he said.