Bulgarian Maverick Right-Wingers Mull New Formation

Former member of Bulgaria's right-wing Union of Democratic Forces party may create a new political formation, according to local media.

The so-called "Unity" union established by former UDF leader Martin Dimitrov, MEP Nadezhda Neynsky and MP Vanyo Sharkov will gather in order to discuss its future on Friday.

Friday marks the 23th anniversary since the official establishment of UDF, a party that has played a key role in Bulgaria's transition towards democracy since the fall of the Communist dictatorship in 1989.

The party has witnessed a dramatic rift recently, with the likes of Dimitrov and Sharkov being expelled over their refusal to side with the ruling centrist-right GERB.

The party's MPs refused to back the nomination of former President Petar Stoyanov (1997-2001) for constitutional judge, saying they did not oppose Stoyanov personally, but the fact that the nomination was imposed by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and GERB. They made clear their opposition to any party nomination for constitutional judge.

This forced UDF leader Emil Kabaivanov to lure three "independent" MPs loyal to GERB, to team up with the UDF leadership and table another nomination.

While UDF's leadership has obviously sided with GERB, "Unity" is in favor of coalition with the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, UDF's former partner in the so-called Blue Coalition.