GERB leader Boyko Borissov says he will not run for PM, proposes expert cabinet, invites leaders of all parties in Parliament to talks

Boyko Borissov, the leader of GERB-UDF (which won the largest share of votes in the June 9 elections), said on June 13 he would not be running for Prime Minister.

"The only chance to have a government is for everyone to overcome their egos, to make an expert cabinet dominated by GERB in the important ministries - Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Defense Minister - this is what the election results give and if we can find a dialogue with the responsible politicians and find experts in the first government-forming mandate - the only possible, to form a government. If you don't form a government with the party that wins (the elections) by 10%-11%, it can't happen with the other mandates. The other way out is elections in September.

"A negotiating team, an expert cabinet and these three areas - Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Defence - GERB should have ministers if a cabinet is formed. We are ready for negotiations and concessions. I cannot explain for the third time to GERB members that they definitely win the elections and we put a Prime Minister from other parties. The Prime Minister should be named by GERB. I am not extending one hand, I am extending both hands to form an expert cabinet," Borissov said.

Images by Dessislava Kulelieva, BNT

Boyko Borissov said he would not be running for Prime Minister in order to ease the possibilities for negotiations.

On Monday we will invite the leaders of all parliamentary parties on the topics - government and parliament. And if they can be put on the same plane, to work in parallel because of the strained relations between the leaders, I think it would work," Borissov said.

He said the negotiating team of GERB-UDF will include Temenuzhka Petkova, Raya Nazaryan and Denitsa Sacheva.

Boyko Borissov also commented on the words of the co-chairman of "We Continue the Change", Kiril Petkov, that whatever government GERB proposes, “We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” will be the opposition.

WCC-Democratic Bulgaria co-chair Petkov: No matter what government Borissov proposes, we will be a clear opposition

"Just the way we have worked with MRF on policies, we invite all parties to work on policies. With such talks - for revanche (referring to WCC-DB co-chair, Kiril Petkov abou revanche), we will go to elections. I will offer this to all parties. On Monday, if we go and they say so, we go to elections," Borissov said.