Bulgarian Right-Wing Leader Says He Won't Quit after Coalition Falls Apart

Ivan Kostov, leader of DSB and former Bulgarian Prime Minister (1997-2001). Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Ivan Kostov, leader of Bulgaria's right-wing Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) party, has declared that he has no intention of quitting after his coalition partner decided to break up with him.

On Tuesday, the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) decided it would take part in the 2013 general elections on its own, thus practically ending its partnership with DSB within the so-called Blue Coalition.

The move prompted UDF leader and Blue Coalition co-chair Martin Dimitrov to resign, as he was against the move that was decided through voting.

"I cannot betray right-wing voters. I remain a champion of their standard of living that I achieved during my rule," Kostov, a former PM (1997-2001), has declared.

On Tuesday, Dimitrov stated that the Blue Coalition would have not fallen apart if Kostov had resigned.

"I do not depend on UDF or Martin Dimitrov, I depend on voters," Kostov told the Btv channel early on Wednesday.

The Blue Coalition was established in the eve of the general elections in 2009 and has been marred by troubles and discord ever since. It currently has 14 MPs.

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