site.bta Reformist Bloc Meets GERB in Bid to Get Support for Possible Government, to Have More Talks after Obtaining Government Mandate

Reformist Bloc Meets GERB in Bid to Get Support for Possible Government, to Have More Talks after
Obtaining Government Mandate

Sofia, December 6 (BTA) - The Right-wing Reformist Bloc (RB) opened on Tuesday consultations with the parliamentary parties to see if it is possible to form a stable majority in Parliament for a possible government formed on its mandate. Emerging from over two hours of talks with GERB, outgoing Health Minister Peter Moskov said that specific scenarios for a possible reform-minded majority in this Parliament would be sought only after the RB gets a mandate to form a government.

Outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borissov participated in the RB-GERB talks Tuesday.

GERB have already refused to try to form a new government within this Parliament and President Rosen Plevneliev said in a TV interview December 2 that if the Bulgarian Socialist Party do as promised and turn down a mandate to form a government, he is going to offer, with a great degree of certainty, a third exploratory mandate to the Reformist Bloc.

Moskov said that the life expectancy of this Parliament will make no difference unless a clear majority is formed to stand behind reform policies. According to him, both the RB and GERB are sceptical that such a majority is possible but would "keep trying nonetheless".

"If the President offers a government mandate to the RB, the talks will be renewed starting with GERB," said Moskov.

If things do not work out after all options are used up, both formations are ready to go to early elections, said he. The two political forces confirmed their conviction that they should continue their strategic partnership in the next parliament as well, if returned to Parliament.

Moskov said that by starting the consultations the RB are expressing their will to prevent a come-back to power of the Socialists and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.

According to the RB, a stable majority in Parliament should allow continuing and deepening reforms with a priority on the combat against corruption, on the judicial reform, education, health care, defence and security, the energy sector and economic stability.

"If the consultations show that it is possible to have a working pro-reform majority, the RB will use the mandate and be part of the parliamentary majority without nominating political personalities for the government," said Moskov.

If the consultations make it clear that there is no such will among the political parties, the RB will turn down the mandate, he added.

In this case the President will have to go ahead with the procedure for the formation of a caretaker government.

RB's Naiden Zelenogorski voiced hope that If a caretaker cabinet is appointed, president-elect Rumen Radev will share the responsibility together with Plevneliev.

Menda Stoyanova said that GERB also insists that Radev and Iliyana Yotova assume responsibility in regards to the people, who have voted for them, and participate together with Plevneliev in the formation of a caretaker cabinet.

GERB is of the opinion that it is not serious to talk about the formation of an expert government, similar to the one of Plamen Oresharski, as it will involve many behind-the-curtain arrangements, Stoyanova commented.