site.btaUPDATED GERB-UDF PM Designate Gabriel Returns Exploratory Government-forming Mandate Unfulfilled

GERB-UDF's prime minister designate Mariya Gabriel returned to President Rumen Radev here on Monday an unfulfilled government-forming mandate. 

Gabriel said she is returning the folder with the exploratory mandate empty, because she and GERB-UDF would not allow to have in it names of people who have been included as the result of behind-the-scenes deals, instead of open and clear discussions, based on principles and responsibilities. 

Speaking at an earlier news conference with Gabriel, Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria's (CC-DB) nomination for prime minister, Nikolay Denkov, said that CC's National Council has decided to propose rotational government between CC-DB and GERB-UDF to be formed on the second mandate, which will go to CC-DB as the second-largest political force in Parliament, with a lifespan of 18 months. If the government is formed, Denkov will serve as prime minister in the first nine months with Gabriel as his deputy and foreign minister, after which Gabriel will become prime minister and Denkov her deputy for the second nine months. 

President Radev said that when the first mandate fails, the next ones mean even more difficult and sometimes hard to explain compromises and risks for the public. 

"The path we're headed on calls for very intensive work and intensive communication, above all, in front of the Bulgarian public," Radev told Gabriel. Radev will present the second exploratory mandate to CC-DB in the coming days. 

The President once again urged the parties in Parliament to not delay the adoption of this year's budget and important bills, "because they are expected by the Bulgarian citizens and are of crucial importance for the State". 

Last week, CC-DB, Vazrazhdane, BSP for Bulgaria and There Is Such a People said they would not support a GERB government on the first mandate. Only the Movement for Rights and Freedoms expressed readiness to support Gabriel's draft cabinet.