Bulgaria's GERB, Reformist Bloc to Hold Gov't Consultations

Leaders of parties within the Reformist Bloc, left to right: Korman Ismailov, Nikolay Nenchev, Meglena Kuneva, Bozhidar Lukarski, Radan Kanev. Photo by BGNES

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.

Since Monday Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), which won the snap poll on October 5 and will be the biggest party in Parliament, has met representatives of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS).

While conservatives and socialists jointly announced they could not reach common ground about most issues of governance, GERB's positions were rather similar to those of the liberal DPS, but the former's leader Boyko Borisov turned down a proposal from DPS leader Lyutvi Mestan to support a GERB-led minority government.

The Reformist Bloc, on the other hand, has been widely tipped to be GERB's most natural partner in government.

Its leaders however insist they will only take part in a coalition if a written agreement is signed setting out priorities and responsibilities.

They also demand that no parties that previously supported the cabinet of Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski (BSP, DPS and ultra-nationalist Ataka) take part in the cabinet.

A third party will be needed if the two decide to join hands, with the nationalist Patriotic Front pointed as a possible option.

GERB and the RB will meet in Parliament at 13:00 EEST.

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