Bulgaria's Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg called on the members of his party to consider carefully the criticism of the opposition. He insisted that solutions should be sought for the problem outlined during the debates of the non-confidence motion against him in the Parliament on Wednesday.

"I expect each member to behave in such a way that disproves the accusations and to work responsibly to correct the mistakes," he said.

The prime minister spoke as the Simeon II National Movement (SIINM) gathered to discuss its local elections strategy and the oncoming memebership in the organisation of the European liberals on Friday.

At the meeting, Ahmed Dogan, leader of the of the ethnic Turks' faction which is the ruling party's coalition partner, said he saw no hurdle for the SIINM to join the organization of the European liberals. Dogan's party - Movement for Rights and Freedoms - is currently applying to enter the same club.

The two parties agreed to hammer out joint election strategy. The SIINM promised to abstain from nominating candidates in the municipalities where its coalition partner enjoys strong positions.