site.btaNational Council of Bulgarian Socialist Party Adopts Election Criteria for Candidates, Coalitions for Local Elections

National Council of Bulgarian Socialist Party Adopts Election Criteria for Candidates, Coalitions for Local Elections

Sofia, April 25 (BTA) - A National Council of the Bulgarian
Socialist Party (BSP) Saturday adopted requirements and an
assessment mechanism for the activity of mayors and municipal
councillors nominated or supported by BSP and coalition, as well
as for the nomination of candidates for mayors and municipal
councillors from BSP-Left Bulgaria at this year's local
elections, the party press centre reported.

A leading principle in the nomination of a candidate for mayor
is the eligibility and public authority, the press release
reads. Preference will be given to people with political
responsibility, wide general knowledge, and team-leading skills.
To be upheld in the nomination of candidates are the principles
of renewal and succession.

Socialist MP Korneliya Ninova told journalists that the
nomination process for the forthcoming local elections is yet to
begin. Asked about the comment of ABV's outgoing leader Georgi
Purvanov and member Ivailo Kalfin that their party and BSP could
have a joint nominee for president, Ninova said that the
presidential elections are far ahead. Atanas Merdzhanov MP of
BSP said that ABV is a possible partner only where left-wing
policies are shared and the policy covers support for candidates
and mayors whose policy conforms with the left-wing standards.

The BSP National Council also adopted a coalition framework for
the party's participation in the local elections. The document
reads that maximum unification of the left-wing voters around
BSP is needed. The socialists will seek allies with a clear
political image and with whom they can conduct a left
post-election policy. The potential coalition partners are the
parties within the BSP-Left Bulgaria coalition, formations which
have shown their protection of the social values, and parties
that can propose individuals with high professionalism. BSP will
continue its dialogue and will seek partnership with civil
organizations, the document reads further.

The BSP National Council also adopted a decision on the
composition of the Election Process Commission responsible for
organizing and exercising control over the conduct of the local
elections.

Socialist Yavor Kouyumdjiev told journalists that he demanded
the resignation of Dragomir Stoynev as BSP Deputy Chair during
the National Council's meeting because Stoynev is largely
responsible for the non-implementation of the South Stream gas
pipeline project in Bulgaria, the serious mistake of
transferring the responsibility for the negotiations with Russia
to the European Commission, and the thwarting of the Belene
N-plant project through inaction.

Socialist MEP Iliyana Yotova commented that the topic concerning
Stoynev will probably be included on agenda of the party's next
meeting. BSP leader Mihail Mikov told journalists that in every
moment, in each of the party's bodies every person, including
him, should bear responsibility. He added that he will subject
the demanded resignation to a very serious debate.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Mikov said that the
Government continues to replace the real policy, the real
political actions, the legislation and governance decisions with
a strong media presence. In the economic sphere, the Cabinet
has met the forecast for the budget, he went on to say. However,
the BSP leader added that, apparently, the forecast for 2015
was reduced in the autumn so as to justify the reduction of
social payments, the resources for education and for other
social spheres.

In the social security sphere, the Government has not fulfilled
its commitment to present a clear vision of the necessary
changes in the social security legislation by the end of March,
Mikov also said.