Socialist-Disappointed Bulgarian Roma Launch New Party

Over 800 Bulgarian Roma have gathered Sunday in the second largest city of Plovdiv to found a new party "Union, Progress and Justice."

Darik radio reported the initiators are renegades from a number of Roma formations which support the Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP.

Several individuals have been nominated for party leader with the frontrunner being the Mayor of the Plovdiv village of Chalakovi, Zapryan Hristev. He was listed on the BSP Plovdiv ballot at the last general elections.

The founders consist of former members of the "European Security and Integration" party and of the party "Solidarity." "European Security and Integration" also includes two NGOs – the "Confederation of Roma "Europe," and the "Movement for Public Model of Equal Rights "Drom."

They say the Socialist-led Coalition for Bulgaria ignores them as legitimate coalition partners.

The leader of "Solidarity," Hristo Mladenov is quoted saying the new party is open to everyone, not just to the Roma minority.

The founding assembly is held Sunday afternoon in Hall 7 of the Plovdiv International Fair.

Hristev told Darik radio that the election of the new leader could bring huge surprises. The program of the party and its goals will be officially announced Sunday evening or Monday morning.

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