Bulgaria's Kalfin Denies Presidential Ambitions after Resignation as Deputy PM

Ivaylo Kalfin after a ceremony at the University of Ruse where he was awarded an honorary degree

Former Bulgarian Deputy PM and Labor Minister Ivaylo Kalfin has said that for the moment he does not intend to take part in battles as "symbolic" as this year's presidential race.

Kalfin resigned on Tuesday, shortly after his ABV party withdrew its support from the government, triggering speculation whether the party was preparing for the election due this autumn.

Despite having run for the office in 2011 (then endorsed by the Bulgarian Socialist Party) and "knowing the presidential institution", he made clear "a number of factors" should be taken into account prior to any decision.

His party has not yet put forward a candidate, and BTA news agency quotes Kalfin as saying "no talks" have been carried out within the party as to who will run on its ticket. Kalfin commented while in the northern city of Ruse, where he was awarded an honorary degree.

Speculation has been rife over whether ABV and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) will seek a joint nomination this year.

ABV is chaired by Georgi Parvanov, who served as President of Bulgaria between 2002 and 2012. While a head of state cannot serve for more than two consecutive terms, Parvanov has said he is studying the option to enter the race again after a five-year pause.

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