GERB-UDF nominee for rotation PM, Mariya Gabriel, wants WCC-DB to reconsider government's format, members, principles as a condition for talks to go on

GERB-UDF’s nominee for rotation Prime Minister, Mariya Gabriel, set conditions before “We Continue the Change –Democratic Bulgaria” to continue the talks on forming a government.

Mariya Gabriel on May 30 said that the government-forming negotiations with “We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria” are not in an ice age; however, there are no sun rays to melt the ice. She was referring to a statement she made on May 27 that GERB-UDF were freezing the negotiations after MP Radostin Vassilev released an audio recording which he claimed was from a meeting of the National Council of “We Continue the Change.

Radostin Vassilev leaves WCC-DB group, released recordings of meetings of the co-leaders

"The talks are not in an ice age. However, there are no sun rays to melt the ice. There can be talks only if the format, composition, members, model, principles and credibility are re-considered. In order to avoid an ice age that, besides us, will totally freeze the country, I call on WCC and DB to reconsider all that I have listed," said Mariya Gabriel.

"Besides what Maria said, we have a de facto war between the institutions. That is why I want to say something, which please should not be taken as an ultimatum, but as a friendly advice: ‘You should change your approach. Follow our example - we have made all possible and impossible compromises'. You cannot get all the power with just 15% of all MPs, I am referring to the number of WCC-DB MPs. It is not fair, it is not European, it is not democratic. As those responsible for forming a government at the moment, you should propose a different format, talk to us and to the other parties. Bulgaria must have a working government," GERB Deputy Chairman, Tomislav Donchev, said.

Mariya Gabriel pointed out that the disappointment in the society is huge, the partners’ distrust is huge, and the fear in the administration is shocking.

"The only way out of this crisis is an effort to build trust from all participants in public and political life. And if the real goal is to take care of the stability of the country and the security of the people, then everyone must take a step back and offer a solution, a workable solution that brings unity and stability. The mandate holder is on the move - to seek and find support," Gabriel said.

GERB-UDF, We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria agreed on a rotating PM with the second mandate - Denkov and Gabriel will change every 9 months

Commenting on GERB-UDF’s statement, MP Toshko Yordanov of “There Is Such a People”party said:

“It is a decision of GERB in which we cannot interfere. From our point of view, that is a weak and harmful decision. Seeking a compromise with people who want to forcefully take control of the state and the security services and to violate the laws, stating that directly, is not a compromise and is morally wrong,” he said referring to the audio recording of the “We Continue the Change” meeting that was released by MP Radostin Vasilev on May 26.

"It is a compromise for the other parliamentary groups to sit and talk about an expert cabinet without " We Continue the Change", because that formation’s leaders should be arrested for treason. If WCC co-leaders Kiril Petkov and Assen Vassilev are removed from WCC, "There Is Such a People" might hold talks with that formation, Yordanov added.

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On Saturday, May 27 GERB-UDF said they were freezing the negotiations with WCC-DB after the release of an audio recording by MP Radostin Vassilev.

“We are freezing the negotiations on the formation of a government together with “We Continue the Change,” said GERB-UDF’s nominee for rotation Prime Minister, Mariya Gabriel, on May 27, in a special briefing after a sitting of the GERB party leadership, called after the audio recording of a meeting of “We Continue the Change” National Council was leaked.

“I kept my silence for a long time, guided only by prudence and a concern for the country. We are freezing the negotiations, there’s a limit to everything. My own limit is that I cannot accept a democracy that is based on a lie, on undermining the foundations of statehood, and failure to observe the fundamental principles of the republic. Not to mention the lies about myself – that is not the problem. The problem is that what we may have here is a vision and a style of governance which are contrary to all European principles and practices. It is unacceptable to say one thing during negotiations and another outside, ” Mariya Gabriel said.

“We have made all kinds of compromises. But compromise is one thing, it is quite another thing however to allow aggressive bolshevism to come to power,"said GERB deputy chair, Tomislav Donchev.

The recording, released by Radostin Vassilev, caused a political storm in the country against the background of the agreement reached for the formation of a cabinet between GERB-UDF and WCC-DB. The recording talks about "laundering Boyko Borissov" (GERB-UDF leader) and that "as long as Borissov is afraid of Geshev" (Prosecutor General), there will be a government.