site.btaUPDATED GERB-UDF's Government-Forming Talks Continue on Tuesday

Talks to form a majority to support a first-term government between GERB-UDF and other parliamentary parties are due to continue on Tuesday, according to a statement published by GERB-UDF on Monday after the first round of negotiations with representatives of Democratic Bulgaria (DB). The same position, also published on DB's Facebook page, adds that during the talks DB presented the measures from their declaration demanding a sanitary cordon around the Movement for Rights and Freedoms - New Beginning. Potential options for integrating them into the National Assembly's legislative programme as well as including them in a comprehensive coalition agreement were also discussed. Another topic on the agenda was the possibility of forming a broad parliamentary majority supporting a regular government with an anti-corruption and pro-European profile, with assured stability and without floating majorities.

GERB-UDF representatives are also expected to hold talks with BSP - United Left and There Is Such a People (TISP). The talks, scheduled to continue until December 20, will go over topics such as budget consolidation measures, judicial reform and anti-corruption, among others.

BSP - United Left Co-Floor Leader Atanas Zafirov said in a TV interview on Monday that his coalition will talk with GERB-UDF on Tuesday. 

TISP MP Pavela Mitova told reporters on Monday that a meeting between GERB-UDF and TISP will take place once TISP receives an official invitation.

Also on Monday, President Rumen Radev suggested that the process of handing a government-formation mandate may be delayed until after the New Year, citing the upcoming holiday season.