Bulgaria PM: Presidential Republic Proposal Needs Broad Debate

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has been tipped to be Bulgaria’s next president, holding in his hands pretty much all the power. Photo by BGNES

As calls for turning Bulgaria into a presidential republic gain momentum, Bulgaria's most popular politician, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, has neither denied nor confirmed aspirations for this office.

"I am a supporter of transparency in governing," Borisov told BGNES news agency.

The comment came in response to the crusade of Zhelyu Zhelev, Bulgaria's first democratically elected president, for turning the country into a presidential republic with recently elected prime minister Boyko Borisov leading the nation.

"An important decisions such as this one calls for broad discussions, this is what happens in every democratic country," Borisov added.

"No changes should be made for the sake of one party or one man. All decisions should be based on public discussions. Zhelyu Zhelev is a man whom I respect very much. He has just expressed an opinion, which should be discussed," Borisov concluded.

Surveys show that turning Bulgaria into a presidential republic enjoys the support of the local electorate.

Under current constitution Bulgaria has to convene Grant National Assembly in order to change its form of governing.

With 116 MP seats claimed in July 5 vote, the center-right GERB party of Boyko Borisov is just six seats short of holding a majority in the 240-seat unicameral parliament.

The share-out of MP seats in Bulgaria's new parliament makes it possible for GERB to enter a wide range of informal alliances to achieve outright majority, relying on the support of the right-wing Blue coalition (15 MPs), nationalists Ataka (21) and the conservative Order, Law and Justice (10).

Together the four formation can achieve even constitutional majority, making it possible to pass amendments to the constitution.

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