Bulgarian Ex EU Commissioner Proposes Anti-Establishment Coalition

The Bulgaria for Citizens party has decided to propose turning the newly formed Reformist Bloc into a formal coalition for upcoming European elections.

The proposal came from party founder and resigned leader Meglena Kuneva, former EU Commissioner, who stands as the only candidate for chair at the party's national convention Saturday.

Kuneva resigned after Bulgaria for Citizens failed to make it past the 4% hurdle at May 12 early general elections.

Part of the ex EU Commissioner's proposal includes that the envisioned Reformist Bloc coalition work for "immediate" new early elections.

The Reformist Bloc was founded after the June 14 start of anti-cabinet protests in Bulgaria by small rightist parties who failed to get into Parliament, including Kuneva's Bulgaria for Citizens, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria and the Greens.

In her address to the party, Kuneva made it clear that she envisions the Reformist Bloc to be in opposition not only to currently ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party and Movement for Rights and Freedoms, but also to former rulers GERB.

Recently, GERB has sought rapprochement with the Reformist Bloc, while leaders of the bloc have largely remained lukewarm.