Bulgarian Socialist Party leader and former PM Sergey Stanishev. BGNES
The upcoming Bulgarian Socialist Party congress in May is important not only for the party, but for Bulgaria as a whole, said socialist leader Sergey Stanishev Sunday.
Stanishev was speaking at a party forum dubbed "Active BSP and Democratic Change" devoted on strategies the party is developing to counter-act Bulgaria's center right GERB government of PM Boyko Borisov.
"It depends on our messages, on our policies and decisions, whether the Socialist Party will continue to walk ahead, and whether it will be able to carry out its responsibility to society," commented Stanishev.
At the same time, in Yambol Bulgaria's ex-President Georgi Parvanov, who is set to challenge Stanishev for the leader's position in May, once again repeated calls for the socialists to muster energy to rule the country after general elections in 2013.
"After the congress we must look ahead at refreshing our cadres, drawing in competent and expert persons to make the best of our energy," said Parvanov.
He added that he will give the best he can for bringing the party forward, but warned against dramatic statements and promises.
On his part, Stanishev called on socialists to unite against what he saw as the incompetent and repressive policies of the GERB cabinet.