site.btaReformist Bloc Leadership to Propose to Bloc's Executive Council Former Economy Minister Traicho Traikov as Presidential Runner

Reformist Bloc Leadership to Propose to Bloc's Executive Council Former Economy Minister  Traicho Traikov as Presidential Runner


Sofia, September 1 (BTA) - The leadership of the Reformist Bloc (RB) proposes to the RB Executive Council to nominate former economy and energy minister Traicho Traikov as its candidate in the November 6 elections, RB spokesperson Naiden Zelenogorski told reporters on Thursday.

Zelenogorski said that the best candidate for Traikov's running mate is General Subi Subev (Ret.).

Approached by reporters, Zelenogorski said that as far as the presidential elections go, "it is only natural for the parties affiliated with the European People's Party to rely on each other's support for the candidate that reaches the run-offs". His comment follows a meeting of representatives of RB and GERB earlier on Thursday where the two sides reported discussed possible support for the presidential candidate of either, whoever reaches a second round of voting.

Three of the five parties in the RB, as well as GERB, are members of the European People's Party.

Traicho Traikov served as minister of economy, energy and tourism in the first government of Boyko Borissov in 2009-2012. He currently sits on the Sofia Municipal Council. Traikov has been working for the RB since 2013 as a member of its public board.

General Subev (Ret.) has held various posts in the Air Forces and the General Staff of the Bulgarian Army. He ended his military career as Bulgaria's representative in NATO's HQs in Brussels where he served as the national representative in the Military Committees of NATO and the EU.