Bulgaria's right-wing leader, Ivan Kostov, voiced Saturday strong criticism of the policies of the ruling, center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party.

Kostov, Chair of Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB), threatened GERB leader and Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, with alarming the European People Party (EPP) about Borisov's statements, exculpating Communist regime in Bulgaria.

The move comes on the heels of a TV interview where the PM said comparisons between him and former Communist dictator, Todor Zhivkov, did not serve Zhivkov right since he had done much more for the country.

Kostov cited Saturday Borisov saying that "to reach one hundredth of what Zhivkov built in Bulgaria and what he did during his years as leader; to reach the economic growth of the then State would be a huge success for any government."

According to the DSB leader, such praise of the former Communist dictator, coming personally from a PM, is a precedent in Bulgaria's transition period, and an insult for all democrats in the country, and any political party, regardless of affiliation to the left or the right.

Kostov was backed by Martin Dimitrov, leader of the other-right wing formation Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) which together with DSP forms the Blue Coalition.

The Blue Coalition's co-Chairs vowed to request from EPP to take a stand on Borisov's statements in the light of the fact GERB declared affiliation with EPP before the 2009 summer elections.

The right-wing leaders further strongly criticized GERB's economic policy and failure in the fight against corruption and organized crime, warning they are about to become official opposition if GERB continues in the same direction.

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