site.btaGERB-UDF Will Not Back Government Proposed on Second Mandate, Will Support All Counter-Corruption Initiatives

GERB-UDF Wednesday said it would not back a government proposed on the second mandate but would support all counter-corruption initiatives. After meeting with Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) in connection with their proposal for a draft declaration, GERB-UDF's Rosen Zhelyazkov said: "We stated clearly that we will not be part of a majority to support a government on the second mandate, but we will support all anti-corruption initiatives if such a majority is formed with either the second or the third mandate if the second one fails."

He also said: "We believe these talks are a good platform for reaching common goals and intentions, including legislation and opportunities to form a majority, taking into account the political clout of the groups in Parliament."

GERB-UDF said at the working meeting that if CC-DB's draft declaration is submitted for debate by the committees and in plenary, it may be edited to a version different to what is proposed now.

Zhelyazkov added it is important for Parliament to deal with GERB-UDF's Criminal Assets Forfeiture Bill and one of the EU Council's recommendations which has to do with optimizing public procurement to ensure fair, transparent and better management of public resources.

He talked about processes of complete entropy in Parliament and a lack of political will, with everyone claiming they are in opposition. In his view, since it is impossible to form a solid, stable majority, the situation is hurtling towards new elections.

Rosen Zhelyazkov said: "As we see things, only a majority that can elect a government ensures this National Assembly's life, and the President should not be asked to act as a 'time lord' and decide how much and how long Parliament should work."

He was referring to CC-DB's proposal to the President on Monday to give them time so they can try to secure a majority in Parliament to push through a package of anti-corruption legislation, before he gives them a mandate to try to form a government.