President held consultations with parliamentary groups on forming a government
If no agreement is reached within the first government-forming mandate, there will be early elections, outgoing PM Nikolai Denkov says.
GERB-UDF and “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” (WCC-DB) need more time for negotiations on forming a government, it became clear from the round of consultations with President Rumen Radev held on March 11. Participants in the assemblage (the word frequently used to refer to the cooperation between the power sharing partners in the government – WCC-DB and GERB-UDF) described the talks as constructive. It became clear that they are currently working on a text of an agreement that would cover all aspects of governance - legislative and governance programme, as well as decision-making mechanism.
After the resignation of the Denkov cabinet, the head of state today, March 11, held the first series of political consultations with the three largest parliamentary formations - GERB-UDF, WCC-DB and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF).
GERB-UDF continue to insist on shared responsibility and a clear mechanism for decision-making in the possible future coalition by strictly adhering to what they proposed in the draft coalition agreement, it became clear after the consultations.
"Negotiations continue, we have common ground. The talks are constructive. Of course, we also have differences and that is exactly why we need the negotiations, so that the overcoming of the differences and the chances we give ourselves to overcome these differences are on a very solid basis. For us, that basis is the principles of transparency, of shared responsibility, of a very clear decision-making mechanism. We need a little more time. I am grateful for the constructive tone in which the negotiations have taken place over the past two days," said the candidate for rotating Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel.
For the WCC-DB, the continuation of the planned reforms, the changes in the justice system and the fight against corruption remain top priorities. Outgoing Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov said he was moderately optimistic after the talks (with GERB-UDF) on Saturday and Sunday. However, he specified that if the first mandate fails to form a government, there will be new early elections.
"The talks were constructive. Of course, they should continue with the same intensity. We must conclude the negotiations as quickly as possible and move to a decision. We have assured the President that we want the rotation to take place. We have also told him that if there is no agreement, we are prepared to go to elections. This is not a good option, but it may be the only option if we cannot agree that reforms, the justice system, the fight against corruption should continue," he said.
MRF urged the negotiators to find the formula because finding another configuration would be particularly difficult. They believe that in addition to the country's Euro-Atlantic orientation and joining Schengen and the eurozone, attention should also be paid to the standard of living in the country.
"The country should have stability and predictability. Our position has not changed - to find again a formula for the governance of the country at the present moment in view of both the political situation in the country and the complex geopolitical situation in the international aspect. The message that we have from our Honorary Chairperson and from our national conference is that, for the sake of the big goals - Schengen, the euro area - we must also pay attention to the people's agenda on the standard of living in the country. It is good for all of us to be accountable to the challenges that lie ahead. We hope that the main actors will find the formula. If not, there is always a possibility to find another configuration, but it seems that it will be particularly difficult," said Dzhevdet Chakarov, co-chairman of the MRF.
Tomorrow, the second round of consultations with "Vazrazhdane", "BSP for Bulgaria" and "There is Such a People” will take place.
Images by Dessislava Kulelieva
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On March 6, 2024, Parliament voted to accept the resignation of the government of PM Nikolai Denkov as part of the planned cabinet rotation.
The rotation was planned to take place on March 6, 2024 as part of an agreement (in 2023) between the two largest parliamentary groups, GERB-UDF and We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria for rotating PM, according to which Nikolai Denkov and Mariya Gabriel will switch posts as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister every nine months.
The MPs accepted PM Denkov's resignation
