Bulgaria's Borissov Calls for Suspension of Media Grants Amid Budget Controversy
Boyko Borissov, leader of GERB, escalated his criticism of Bulgarian media outlets receiving grants today, calling for the suspension of such funding
President Rosen Plevneliev is to have talks with the eight parties that entered the legislature as early as October 15, or next Wednesday, Presidency sources say.
A date for the first session of Parliament is to be set during the meeting.
It is most likely for Plevneliev to call the 43rd National Assembly a week later, on October 22, but October 29 is also a plausible date, daily 24 Chasa says, citing the sources.
Bulgaria's interim government, which has been in office since August 6, is to submit its resignation a day after Parliament is called, but there is no deadline for the National Assembly to approve it.
A government mandate will be handed out to GERB, the largest party after the early elections, before the resignation is voted by lawmakers.
Bulgaria's largest party GERB and the Reformist Bloc have both taken a U-turn after initially saying they found it impossible to shake hands during the government consultations on Wednesday.
Bulgaria's Central Electoral Committee (CEC) fined the leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) Lyutvi Mestan and MP Hyusein Hafsuzov for solicitation in foreign language, which is forbidden by law.
The new National Assembly is to hold its opening session on October 27, at 14:00 EEST, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev announced.
Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev is set to meet on Wednesday all parties and coalitions entering the new Parliament after the October 5 early elections.
Right-wing Reformist Bloc is the third political force to meet conservative GERB as part of the consultations to form a coalition government with shared responsibility.
The centre-right GERB and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) will negotiate on Tuesday afternoon on the formation and support for new government.
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