site.btaSocialist Party to Participate in Second Round of Consultations with GERB if Invited

118 POLITICS - BSP - CONSULTATIONS

Socialist Party to Participate in
Second Round of Consultations with
GERB if Invited


Sofia, October 21 (BTA) - In case it receives an invitation from
GERB for serious political talks the Bulgarian Socialist Party
(BSP) will take part in a second round of consultations, BSP
Chairman Mihail Mikov told a news conference Tuesday, emerging
from a meeting of the party Executive Bureau.

The BSP has an exceptionally responsible attitude to the
opportunity for forming the country's governance, including the
executive, and it will take part in such consultations, Mikov
added.

The party Chairman noted that the BSP continues to uphold the
positions thanks to which it has won the confidence of the
voters. The party also thinks these positions are also shared by
a large portion of the Bulgarians who did not vote, including
fair taxation, progressive income tax, family income tax,
industrialization, implementation of large infrastructure
projects like South Stream and Belene N-plant and concentration
of state and public resources in improving access to health care
and education.

The BSP is ready to sit down at the table of consultations with
GERB if that is understood as a responsibility and a position of
principle of each political force. Any step back from
principles and commitments should be mutual. The matter of
positions in the future government has not been discussed
because it is more important what its programme will look like,
Mikov commented.

Taking a question whether the BSP will go on to new talks with
GERB but will remain in opposition, Mikov responded that the
consultations are forthcoming but the BSP thinks that, in this
Parliament, those who call themselves right, centrist, or
liberal parties number much more than those who with or without
reason define themselves as left.

Changes in the Executive Bureau were not discussed on Tuesday
and the parliamentary group will meet later to begin
preparations for work in the 43rd National Assembly. Mikov has
been put forward as Floor Leader./VI/LI/BR/