site.btaOutgoing PM Expects Invitation from GERB to Renew Government Talks

Outgoing Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov told reporters in Brussels on Thursday that he expects an invitation from GERB for renewed talks on the formation of a government. Denkov is in the Belgian capital for a two-day meeting of the European Council.

The Prime Minister said: "All negotiating opportunities should be used for the first mandate. It should be seen as national. We need to stabilize the political situation again and re-enter a process of negotiations that will bring us to a positive outcome." He reported that Bulgaria's European partners are concerned that the situation may be destabilizing.

Denkov stated that GERB-UDF broke off the negotiations, which is why GERB-UDF must suggest a way to proceed. He added: "The biggest problem today is that the trust that I personally expressed towards [outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister-designate] Mariya Gabriel was broken." He did not specify whether he sees a scenario where Gabriel becomes the new Prime Minister. Denkov said: "I cannot imagine any explanation for what happened other than that Mariya Gabriel was under heavy pressure from other people, and she gave in. This is a problem."

Denkov was adamant that that any changes related to the government rotation should be approved by both sides - GERB-UDF and Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria. "We need to try to converge our positions, not [set] ultimatums," he said.

The Prime Minister also addressed the case of Finance Minister Assen Vassilev calling Gabriel "the beautiful face of the Mafia" on Tuesday and GERB's demanding an apology. Denkov said: "Let me remind you that I have been personally insulted many times by various politicians: [Movement for Rights and Freedoms co-leader] Delyan Peevski, [GERB-UDF MP] Delyan Dobrev, including Mr Borissov [GERB-UDF leader Boyko Borissov] recently. You have never heard me ask for an apology, because politics is no place for such games. We are not in kindergarten. We need to find a solution, we need to return to the negotiating table, finish [the negotiations], so that Bulgaria has a government."