Another day of political chaos in Parliament

On November 13, the first and the second largest political forces continued the parallel meetings with the smaller formations in the in the Parliament. It was not clear when and whether GERB-UDF and We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (WCC-DB) will sit together at the negotiating table. And while they are talking about policies, they cannot implement them because the Parliament still has no Speaker. The clock in the plenary is stopped, and with it the passing of laws that everyone is generously promising.

GERB-UDF leader, Boyko Borissov, said he was still looking for a compromise. For him, meetings with small political formations are just as important as those with the big ones. Regarding the demands of the WCC-DB, Boyko Borissov said that it was an extremely wrong approach to start with the legislative programme. During the meeting of GERB-UDF with BSP-United Left and There is Such a People (TISP), no future government was discussed, but rather specific policies to be implemented in the 51st Parliament.

After yesterday Borissov put his signature in a document that he will not participate in a coalition with Delyan Peevski (leader of MRF-New Beginning), today WCC-DB said that this is not enough, that they want more, namely: to ensure that no majorities will be formed around Delyan Peevski, as well as to work for anti-corruption legislation.

GERB-UDF leader Boyko Borissov: if a regular government is formed, it will exclude MRF-New Beginning, Vazrazhdane, ARF, and MECh

WCC-Democratic Bulgaria seek support for their declaration of "sanitary cordon" around Peevski

The largest party in Parliament first talked with two of the smaller ones – BSP-United Left and TISP.

"In such an elected Parliament, the smaller parties are as important as the big ones for gathering a majority," Boyko Borissov, chairman of GERB-UDF said.

And commented on the approach of the second largest political formation in Parliament:

"Starting with a legislative programme is definitely doomed to failure."

"This declaration that we are putting on the table is not an end in itself. It is fundamental. Do we allow one person and one party that has bought a lot of votes, to be in this Parliament and turn a blind eye on this or not," replied Kiril Petkov, co-chair of WCC-DB.

GERB legal experts defined the laws proposed by WCC-DB as unconstitutional or poorly made. Therefore, according to Borissov, the legal experts of the two groups should meet first.

Boyko Borissov, Chairman of GERB: Yesterday I signed a document for my colleagues from WCC-DB with what they wanted most.

BNT: They said that this is not enough. When are you going to sit at the negotiating table face to face?

Boyko Borissov: For them nothing is ever enough. Unless it is their way. If they had won the elections with a double result, as we did, they could continuously set conditions. At 8 or 9 o'clock in the evening to send emails and set a time for you to meet - it is high time they realised that this is not the right approach.

BNT: Are you going to offer them a meeting time and date?

Boyko Borissov: I will appoint a meeting, when we have something to talk about. Otherwise, what were their meetings yesterday - repeating their election promises and their new promises.

"We invited them to a meeting yesterday, didn't we, if they bothered in any way to invite us, we invited them, they didn't come. And then we only got one letter. I think it's normal for them as the largest political force to take the initiative for such meetings. With all the other parties we have meetings, there are some constructive results, and by avoiding meetings, they leave us with the feeling that they have something to hide," said Kiril Petkov of WCC-DB.

Borissov proposes an approach: people and policies that bear clear responsibility.

"Since I don't have enough support, I won't loan my party and that's why I said: if they want - they should be responsible. In the end I can compromise and nothing will work. My name is being put forward by the party (for PM), I have no desire for that. This is the only way to keep our words. Otherwise, we will send some pawns to the Council of Ministers that no one will defend when the government falls, as it did before."

BNT: Will there be a government with the participation of GERB-UDF and WCC-DB?

Ivaylo Mirchev, WCC-DB: We were specific and clear what we wanted, Borissov did not agree with any of this. I am rather pessimistic until GERB gives a clear sign that they can agree with our declaration.

Neither BSP nor TISP have talked to GERB about government, but rather about policies, economy and budget.

"The topic of joint governance was not discussed at all at today's meeting. There are enough votes from right-wing political parties in this Parlaiament that can easily form a government. We are the left alternative, we are the left vector," said Atanas Zafirov - acting chairman of the BSP.

"We confirmed to them that our ideas differ from theirs regarding the nomination of Prime Minister and this will not change. If there will be a government, it will be supported by several parties, so the cabinet will not be of one of these supporting parties. Second: for the moment there is no majority", said Toshko Yoradnov of TISP.

WCC-DB met with BSP and supported their appeal to the Constitutional Court for a recount of the ballots from the October 27 elections. And while 4 formations are negotiating, there is a willingness for dialogue among the other three.

"We, if invited, will be dialogical and constructive. Our country is in dire need of a regular government," said Alliance for Rights and Freedoms' Dzevdet Chakarov.

WCC-DB sent an invitation for a meeting to Vazrazhdane, then withdrew it, Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov claimed.

"Since Monday we see that there is obviously a rift between Borissov and Peevski. Of course, it's never too late for old partners to get together again. It remains to be seen what the ambassadors will decide, there is nothing to lie about. The truth is that they make the decisions".

"These people - the winner and the runner-up of the elections do not know at all what the Bulgarian society expects from them, how talks are conducted, what negotiations are held - political, expert, on legislative programmes and there is complete chaos between them", said Radostin Vassilev, chairman of Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh) party.

Thus, parliamentary arithmetic shows majorities for now remain possible only in theory. Practice shows political chaos.

Images by Dessislava Kulelieva, BNT