site.btaBulgarian Socialist Party to Play "Significant Role" in Next Parliament, Says Party Chair

The BSP-United Left coalition submitted documents and 7,930 signatures to the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Monday to register for the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for April 19. "We are registering for these elections with the ambition to return Bulgarian politics to the track of normality - an end to sterile scandals, ugly insults and obvious betrayals, and a return to politics based on principles," BSP leader Krum Zarkov told journalists at the CEC.

"Our principles are clear - they are socialist and shared by left-wing parties around the world: justice, solidarity and freedom. These principles cannot be realized under a mafia-oligarchic model of governance, which must be ended, nor in conditions of war. That is why we place the fight for the rule of law and efforts for peace above all else," he said. Zarkov added that the party would work for a better quality of life for Bulgarian citizens "in a fair Bulgaria and a peaceful Europe".

Asked whether he was concerned about opinion polls that do not give BSP-United Left strong chances of entering parliament, Zarkov said he had no concerns, pointing to what he described as mobilization among Bulgarian socialists across the country. "BSP will be part of the next parliament, and it will participate in a very significant way," he said.

In response to a question about potential coalition partners, including a possible political project linked to former president Rumen Radev (2017-2026), Zarkov said it was too early to discuss partnerships. "First, we have declared our principles and goals - anyone who shares them is welcome for talks. Second, all future interactions of BSP will be based on equality, transparency and clear rules. BSP can be a partner, but it will never again be subordinate," he said.