President (2002-2011) Georgi Parvanov has called for constitutional changes to introduce the presidential system in Bulgaria.

Parvanov, who has already served the maximum of two terms in office, told at the conference marking the foundation of his ABV party on Saturday that he was even willing to encourage a citizens' initiative boosting presidential powers, Dnevnik.bg reported.

He asserted the new party, which registered as a movement in 2010 to later split off the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and run with its own list in European Parliament elections this May, would wish to take part in a coalition government after early elections this autumn.

All political players were potential partners, except co-ruling Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), Parvanov elaborated.

ABV's policies, in his words, will be "more social" than those of the main ruling BSP.

As other key issues for ABV he pointed curbing state subsidies for parties, a "clear" majority system, reforms in the judiciary and the boosting of referendums as a democratic instrument.

Parvanov also said he would abolish the flat tax rate (which was introduced by a three-party coalition headed by the BSP in 2007) and implement austerity measures to tackle economic hardship.

He expressed hope his party would be an alternative to "hatred, malice and aggression" in politics.

ABV, which is an acronym for Alternative for Bulgarian Revival, also consists in Bulgarian of the first three Cyrillic letters (АБВ).

Before Parvanov's statement, calls for a presidential republic have also been made by former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who first proposed the move in 2003 as (then hugely popular) Chief Secretary of the Interior Ministry.

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