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
Radan Kanev, one of the Reformist Bloc's leaders, admitted that its attempt to set out conditions about who will be Prime Minister in the next government was a mistake.
The right-wing coalition is now determined not to enter any talks about specific names to join the cabinet prior to an agreement on future cabinet's program, Kanev told Darik Radio.
"It might have been a wrong move from both my part and other colleagues, and also from Borisov, who took it very personally," the Chairman of Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DPS), one of the leading parties in the bloc, stressed, adding his and his colleagues' behavior did not contribute to setting up a government.
The Reformist Bloc, which came fourth at the early elections on October 5, announced just hours after first results were made public it would not accept the name of Boyko Borisov, leader of vote winner GERB, as Prime Minister. Some of the other leaders later backtracked, though no-one officially declared Borisov's candidacy would not be contested.
Kanev also reiterated the RB's red lines, with reforms in the judiciary topping the coalition's agenda.
Among these he pointed out separating the judges' and prosecutors' bodies at the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), boosting the Specialized Prosecutor's Office to launch probes into the Judiciary (including into the Chief Prosecutor) and clearer procedures to elect candidates to key offices in the judiciary.
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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