site.btaReactions to Leader Borissov’s Statement that GERB Will Withdraw from Government

On Tuesday, GERB-UDF floor leader Boyko Borissov said that he sees no place for GERB in the current government during a meeting between the GERB-UDF parliamentary group and Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, after GERB finished sixth in the Pazardzhik municipal council elections.

More reactions followed on Wednesday.

President Rumen Radev described as “cheap political theatre” the statement made by GERB leader Boyko Borissov, adding that he would comment on the matter on Thursday.

A new political crisis would devastate social stability and essential systems and could jeopardize the government's achievements to date, the Executive Bureau of the National Council of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, a junior partner in the government, said.

BSP - United Left expects the ruling party to submit its proposals to the Joint Governance Council. "We will then make our decisions in the party's collective bodies and in consultation with our coalition partners", they added.

Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev (GERB) said Wednesday's developments showed that no majority whatsoever is possible without GERB. "Elections are always an option, but that is a nuclear option, which I am sure no one wants to trigger, as it is precisely what led to caretaker governments (…), chaos and disorder, lack of clear social responsibility, and decision-making behind the closed doors of institutions that now comfortably exploit what they call 'political instability'.".

Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) MP Venko Sabrutev described the current government as harmful to the country and argued that the sooner it leaves office, the better.

The real culprit behind the political crisis is GERB and [its leader] Boyko Borissov, who was afraid and refused to join the sanitary cordon against [Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) leader Delyan] Peevski, said Ivaylo Mirchev of Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB).

According to Democrats for Strong Bulgaria leader Atanas Atanassov, there are two solutions – either the Zhelyazkov government should seek a vote of confidence, or it should be reconfigured.

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov called for the immediate resignation of the government and fresh elections in a social media post. 

He also said that GERB leader Boyko Borissov had made it clear that GERB-UDF would withdraw from governance.

MECh leader Radostin Vasilev called for the government’s resignation and for all recent developments in Bulgaria to be reinterpreted, whereas fellow MP Hristo Rastashki said that there was little chance of a government reconfiguration, once the largest parliamentary group withdraws. 

Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF) Deputy Floor Leader Dzheyhan Ibryamov said he found "good intentions" in GERB leader Boyko Borissov's speech. 

Another ARF Deputy Floor Leader Taner Ali saw "a game being played" behind Borissov's words. According to him, one possibility is that MRF - New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan Peevski will officially join the Government. "The other option is that Borissov has realized that the MRF leader is twisting his arm," Ali added.

A political scenario is being prepared, where Movement for Rights and Freedoms Chair Delyan Peevski will escalate tensions while GERB leader Boyko Borissov will appear as the nation’s saviour and return on a white horse as prime minister, said Velichie MP Krasimira Katincharova.

If elections were held now, a caretaker government would have no capacity to draft the most difficult state budget of the past 30 years, said Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) President Plamen Dimitrov.

"What is the point in further destabilizing the country when, according to pollsters, the outcome of the next elections will be roughly the same - the two parties, GERB and MRF - New Beginning, will still have to form a government - with or without someone else," Dimitrov argued. "Ultimately, this Government needs to continue in some form - whether through reformatting or reorganization," he added.