Bulgarian Socialist Party to Abstain from Vote on Cabinet Reshuffle

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) will abstain from the discussion and voting of the proposed Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, according to BSP leader Sergey Stanishev.

Speaking Tuesday at a press conference, Stanishev made clear that the changes did not correspond to the gravity of the situation in the country which had become "highly explosive".

The socialist leader remarked that the ongoing protests over high electricity and heating bills were growing more and more massive.

He said that the rallies were civil protests against the looting of the state by the center-right GERB government and the failure of the authorities to protect the interests of the people.

Stanishev, as cited by dnevnik.bg, announced that BSP would start consultations with political parties on Wednesday to find a solution to the situation in Bulgaria.

He added that BSP would also hold a series of meetings all over the country to probe public opinion on the matter.

"We need a new welfare state and a reintroduction of the democratic functioning of institutions in dialogue with the civil society" he added.

Bulgaria's Parliament is to vote the resignation of Simeon Djankov as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister on Wednesday.

Regional Development Minister Lilyana Pavlova is to assume Djankov's responsibilities as Deputy Prime Minister, while EU Funds Minister Tomislav Donchev is to step in as Finance Minister.