site.btaSocialists Approach Majority-Forming Talks with "Caution and Skepticism"

Commenting on the talks for forming a majority and a government, which were beginning on Monday, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) deputy leader Kristian Vigenin said on Bulgarian National Television: "Based on the initial discussions, we will decide whether to make further steps. We are approaching the process with caution and skepticism, because we [BSP-United Left] are the only left-wing coalition in a parliament full of right-wing parties. In this case, a political coalition is impossible for us."

Vigenin warned that new snap elections would not change anything. He said the parties should unite around a programme of national priorities. "The only choice is joint support for a technocratic government with a clear programme for a definite period," he said.

"This is the best we can do. And even so, it depends on what the programme is like. It should lend high visibility to our top priorities related to social policy, social justice, demographic policy, care for young people, energy, including a restart of the Belene nuclear power project," said Vigenin, who leads the Bulgarian Socialists' delegation to the European Parliament.

He also listed other priorities on which the Left will insist, such as a transparent procedure for electing regulatory authorities and quick steps to stop the election of prosecutor general.

"If it comes to having a widely supported technocratic government, it will become necessary to hold talks with the other formations because the majority does not depend on GERB alone. The process is very complicated. The chance of success is not any stronger than the possibility of failure," he said.