Ataka leader Volen Siderov. Photo by BGNES
Volen Siderov, leader of the Bulgarian nationalist Ataka (Attack) party, has accused the center-right GERB of striking a secret deal with the newly elected Socialist-led Cabinet of Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski.
Siderov reminded that one GERB lawmaker voted in favor of the new government on the first count. The nationalist leader claimed that the MP was “scared into voting against” on the second count.
The GERB MP in question explained his vote with a technical glitch.
“I do not accept the composition and structure of this government. I have critical remarks,” Siderov told reporters after the vote in Parliament on Wednesday.
GERB has accused Siderov and Ataka of secretly siding the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the predominantly ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) on a number of occasions since the May 12 general election.
The nationalist formation did not participate in Wednesday’s vote, which enabled DPS and BSP to achieve majority.