Center-right party GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria), which won most votes in the early parliamentary elections on October 5, yet fell short of an overall majority, made clear that it would seek support for a strong government program with clear-cut priorities from all parties represented in Parliament.

Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Deputy Chair of GERB, explained in a Monday interview for the Bulgarian National Television that the party would aim at a strong term in office and would be uncompromising on issues of EU membership and reforms in the security sector.

Tsvetanov, as cited by dnevnik.bg, suggested that completing a full term in office was possible, depending on the level of responsibility the politicians would be ready to assume.

He assured that GERB was ready to engage in constructive dialogue with all parties represented in Parliament.

The Deputy Chair of GERB noted that the length of the talks between the parties was not as important as ensuring their transparency in order to demonstrate that politicians could sit at the negotiating table and discuss national problems.

Tsvetanov said that GERB was not averse to the option of surveying opportunities for support for the formation of a government before the publication of the final election results.

He was adamant that GERB would nominate its leader, Boyko Borisov, for Prime Minister, despite the calls of the right-wing formation The Reformist Bloc for Borisov to step down.

Asked to comment on the demand that he refrain from assuming a ministerial post, he stressed the electoral success of GERB in Blagoevgrad and Veliko Tarnovo, where he headed the election list of the party, adding that his achievements as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister had been appreciated by Bulgaria’s European partners.

As regards the government program of GERB, he stressed the sphere of security, vowing that the party would restore the balancing power of the President and the principle of organizing competitions.

Tsvetanov underscored that a coalition of GERB and liberal party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) was impossible, while a coalition with the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) was “almost impossible,” adding that this did not prevent talks with all parties.

He drew attention to the fact that BSP and The Reformist Bloc had softened their stance towards GERB and appeared more open to dialogue.

Tsvetanov spoke in favor of nationalist party National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria, stressing its good performance in the parliamentary elections in 2013, but he refused to comment on possible partnership with nationalist party Ataka and populist party Bulgaria without Censorship before the publication of the official election results.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!