Bulgaria's Ex-Labour Minister Kalfin Calls for Dialogue with Socialists

No-one profits from ABV and BSP parties going separate ways, former Labour Minister Ivaylo Kalfin, who quit Bulgaria's government in May, has said.

In an interview with daily 24 Chasa, he has said the big question ahead of his Alternative for Bulgarian Revival (ABV) is whether it would go it alone or will seek a "left-wing alternative" to the current government.

Kalfin resigned as Minister of Labour and Social Policy after ABV withdrew its support from the cabinet of Prime MInister Boyko Borisov.

ABV was set up by President (2002-2012) Georgi Parvanov, splintering off the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) in 2014. As the latter elected a new chair in May, he had suggested dialogue with socialists, which are the biggest opposition party of Bulgaria, was more likely.

However, Kalfin says in the interview the BSP's new head Korneliya Ninova still portrays ABV as its "arch-enemy", submitting "statements of aggression".

He explains the party is currently ready for talks with any political organization on a nomination for this autumn's presidential vote.

Kalfin has stopped short of saying whether he or Parvanov intend on running and has added it would not be right to disclose any names. 

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