Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has been described as "cunning" and wit a "tainted past" in a freshly leaked WikiLeaks diplomatic cable.

"Borissov is the most cunning and charismatic player of the day. He is explicitly cultivating U.S. and European approval to bolster his legitimacy. Using this to our advantage, we can push him and his GERB party into more responsible positions as next year's elections approach," the leaked cable, written in 2008 by former US Ambassador to Bulgaria, Nancy McEldowney, states

The cable further reveals that Borisov touts U.S. and European ties whenever possible, citing his support from the center-right Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the Robert Schumann Foundation, and his personal relationship with Angela Merkel and the European People's Party.

"In his initial meeting with the Ambassador, he stressed Bulgarians are not used to taking decisions on their own and need Washington and Brussels to "tell the PM what needs to be done." He added that when GERB wins, he plans to have a foreign expert in each ministry to support and monitor its work. A directive not collaborative leader, Borissov would dominate whatever cabinet he chooses," McEldowney elaborates.

The cable expresses the former Ambassador's skepticism concerning Borisov's pro-western orientation: "Despite his pro-European talk, insiders believe Borissov is a "wild card" when it comes to Russia. He is close to Lukoil regional head Valentin Zlatev, rumored to support GERB with cash. (Hedging bets, Slatev is also a big BSP money patron)."

"Borissov has a tainted past -personal ties to 1990s mafia leaders - but denies any involvement in crime. During his Secretary General tenure at the MOI, he personally led raids against drug dealers, but there were no busts of any major OC figures," the cable says about the Bulgarian Prime Minister.

Analyzing the former Sofia Mayor's political future, McEldowney reveals that " Borissov and nominal party head Tsvetan Tsvetanov shared names of potential future ministers in a GERB-led government, including some non-GERB choices; some hold promise. GERB has already floated the Finance Ministry to World Bank Director Kristalina Georgieva and the MFA to GERB European Parliament Deputy Roumyana Zheleva. Borissov is a master of misdirection and false leads, at times hinting he may not take the Prime Minister's position but offer it to someone else. This helps fuel speculation that he has the Presidency in mind, a calculated ploy to boost his image as a national unifier."

The cable's full text can be read HERE.

Earlier on Thursday, another diplomatic cable, dated May 9, 2005, written by former US Ambassador to Sofia, John Beyrley, was published. The cable paints a similar portrait of Borisov and his raise to political stardom.

"Boiko Borisov is an unpredictable individual with unbridled political ambition and an apparently bright future in Bulgarian politics," the American diplomat writes. The cable offers a summary of Borisov's career, his contacts, personal characteristics, public and secret ties, and his attitude towards the US. Beyrle also notes that in the past "Borisov has been implicated in serious criminal activity and maintains close ties to LuKoil and the Russian embassy."

The Ambassador pays special attention to the relationship between the then Mayor of Sofia, Borisov and the CEO of Lukoil Bulgaria, Valentin Zlatev, pointing out "Borisov has close financial and political ties to LUKoil Bulgaria Director Valentin Zlatev, a vastly influential kingmaker and behind-the-scenes power broker. Borisov's loyalty (and vulnerability) to Zlatev play a major role in his political decision making." As proof, Beyrley talks about favors the two often exchange.

The cable's full text can be rad HERE.

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