Bulgaria's Presidential Runner: I Refused All GERB Collaboration Offers

Bulgaria's presidential candidate, Meglena Kuneva, vowed Wednesday to work for changing the system with the appointments at public posts in the State.

Kuneva, who is running as an independent, is considered one of the top three contenders for the presidential office. She is also Bulgaria's first and now former EU Commissioner from the party of ex Tsar and Prime Minister, Simeon Saxe-Coburg, National Movement for Stability and Prosperity, NMSP.

The candidate spoke during an interview for the TV channel bTV where she appeared with her running mate, Lyubomir Hristov.

"I don't play cards and don't go hunting; it seems I am in an underdog position for appointments," the presidential hopeful stated.

Hristov, on his part, pointed out these appointments should not be made "over the phone" as it is now, but need to be based on objective criteria.

Kuneva addressed, once again, accusations of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, from two years ago when the PM claimed she went to his house in Bankya to beg him to nominate her for a second term as EU Commissioner. She reiterated that she went, but not to beg, just to inform about her intentions, however, Borisov told her that "such high salary as the Commissioner's one must go to one of his people from the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria, GERB, party.

The candidate added she had other talks with the PM since then where she rejected all of the latter's "attempts for collaboration," but declined offering details.

Regarding her top rivals for the presidential office – Ivaylo Kalfin, nominated by the Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, and former Regional Minister, Rosen Plevneliev, endorsed by GERB, Kuneva voiced the opinion they both were "very decent people, the most decent from the two parties."

She pointed out again that along with Hristov they are independent and would not be subject of any party's influence.