The two main parties constituting nationalist formation the Patriotic Front (PF) – NFSB and VMRO – clash over the recently appointed Deputy Minister of Defence Orhan Ismailov.

Valeri Simeonov, leader of nationalist party National Front for Salvation of Bulgaria (NFSB), confirmed on Wednesday that the party was still against the appointment of Ismailov.

Simeonov, as cited by 24 Hours daily, threatened to withdraw his support of the coalition government of Boyko Borisov if the controversial appointment was not cancelled, setting a 24-hour deadline before revoking his party's confidence in the Cabinet.

Krasimir Karakachanov, Chairman of nationalist party VMRO – Bulgarian National Movement said that a discussion on the position of their coalition partner was forthcoming, adding that he could not speak on behalf of everyone.

The leaders of PF and representatives of center-right party GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) are to meet Wednesday evening to take a decision on the matter.

Simeonov claimed that Ismailov was a disgrace to the Defense Ministry and that he lacked the dignity which the position of Deputy Minister presupposed.

He suggested that the Freedom and Dignity People's Party, the party behind Ismailov’s nomination, and liberal party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) were “the two sides of a coin.”

He insisted that the two parties were two pro-Turkish ethnic parties functioning in alignment.

Simeonov underscored that the problem with Ismailov was that he was a representative of a pro-Turkish formation, adding that NFSB included Turkish citizens and Roma.

Karakachanov pointed out that DPS was not a true defender of the interests of Bulgarian Turks and Muslims.