Bulgarian PM Warns against 'Costly' Early Elections

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has warned it would take BGN 40-50 M (EUR 20-25 M) to hold new snap elections.

This comes as some opposition parties have started to suggest a new poll is needed amid tensions in the governing coalition over Bulgaria's judicial reform. Lawmakers rejected two sections of the reform proposal that junior coalition partner Reformist Bloc deems to be of key importance, prompting the Justice Minister to resign.

"If they want it, we could compete again", Borisov is quoted as saying while in Brussels for a EU summit, in an apparent reference to comments of Lyutvi Mestan, from Bulgaria's third-biggest party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS).

Borisov has expressed astonishment at discontent voiced by the opposition, against the backdrop of progress seen in the country.

"What are they dissatisfied by - that the economy's growth is 3%, that we lowered the deficit to 2%, that we paid BGN 3.7 B to depositors at [Corporate Commercial Bank, KTB] that they [the previous government] led to ruin, that there are BGN 2.6 B more in the budget from [crackdown on] smugglers? Maybe they want that the smugglers are returned their money last year?"

Separately, the biggest opposition party BSP has now announced it will launch negotiations on a motion of no confidence against the Bulgarian government.

Bulgarians went to the polls for an early vote two times in 2013 and 2014, after Borisov's first government stepped down six months before regular elections were to take place. Then, in the summer of 2014, the socialist-liberal government led by Plamen Oresharski submitted its resignation.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!