site.btaGERB Leader Borissov Says He Does Not Interfere in Cabinet Negotiations, Denies Knowing if Party Members Were Offered Ministerial Posts

GERB leader Boyko Borissov Tuesday told journalists on the sidelines of Parliament that he does not interfere in cabinet negotiations and does not know whether party members have been offered a meeting to discuss ministerial posts. 

Regarding the choice of Bulgarian National Audit Office President Dimitar Glavchev for caretaker prime minister, Borissov said that President Rumen Radev is a responsible person who would not throw Bulgaria in a constitutional crisis, and said that GERB accepts Radev's choice. 

On Friday, March 29, Radev’s decision to select Bulgarian National Audit Office President Dimitar Glavchev as caretaker prime minister-designate triggered reactions among the politicians. On Saturday, Radev assigned Glavchev to propose a cabinet lineup. "This mandate must be fulfilled in seven days. I'll be expecting to have your cabinet lineup proposal by next Saturday at the latest. Then, I will invite the parliamentary groups for the mandatory consultations," the head of State said. Radev argued that he has set a one-week deadline so that it would be possible to hold snap parliamentary elections and European elections simultaneously.

"About the Constitution these months you have always heard that I support Hristo Ivanov and his proposals. I have not even participated in the talks related to the Constitution, because it is something that is taught at the university, it is studied for many years, and we have many good constitutionalists who would give their assessment and with whom we comply. I don't see anything that Hristo Ivanov is guilty of that he should bear responsibility for. The part that is now being finalized is the part where it is not settled whether the head of the Bulgarian National Bank and his deputies, the Audit Office, the Ombudsman, if they become caretaker prime ministers, are kept in their place and whether that is in line with their position. This is being changed now, which I don't see to be a problem," Borissov said of the changes in the legislation that concern the formation of a caretaker cabinet. 

Borissov noted that GERB-UDF, Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) submitted and voted together decisions in Parliament regarding Ukraine, the energy sector. and social policy. 

He said that even if GERB-UDF and MRF have 150 MPs in Parliament after the snap elections, the two parties will not govern alone.