site.btaUPDATED Boyko Borissov Not to Run for PM "To Ease Tension", Invites Talks with All Parliamentary Parties

On Thursday, at the first news conference his GERB party is holding after winning the June 9 national and European elections, Boyko Borissov said he would not be running for Prime Minister in a bid to ease tension, and said there would be a government if the Prime Minister is named by his party.

"The only chance to have a government is with the first government-forming mandate [GERB's]. This government should be dominated by GERB in the important offices: Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Defence Minister," said Borissov.

He said he would form a negotiating team comprised of Temenuzhka Petkova, Raya Nazaryan and Denitsa Sacheva, and would invite Monday the leaders of the other political forces in Parliament.

He denied allegations by his opponents that he has cosied up with Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Delyan Peevski and reiterated that GERB is not going to have a coalition with MRF only, without a third partner. "We are ready for compromise and talks," he said. He also said, "The results of Delyan Peevski give him all right to claim a role in the executive."

He said that it is not an option for GERB to propose a minority government with support from other parties. "With only 68 MPs [in the 240-seat Parliament], how can we elect a Parliament leader?" asked Borissov.

He warned that if all other parties are thinking of revenge and avoid dialogue, the country will have to go to new snap elections.