site.btaBulgarian Socialist Party Chair Zafirov: No Unconditional Talks on Government Future

Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Chair Atanas Zafirov said on Thursday that his party is ready for talks with government partners at the initiative of the mandate holder, but these discussions and any decisions cannot come at any cost.

Zafirov, speaking after a meeting of the BSP Executive Bureau and the coalition council of BSP - United Left, added that the party is willing to take any steps if there is political sense in doing so.

He explained that the BSP has already made significant compromises to join the current government and was inclined to say that the limit of such compromises has been reached. However, he noted that the party first needs clear information about the specific demands being made. Only after this clarification will the issue be discussed with the partners in BSP - United Left.

Zafirov asserted that there would be no compromise with the State or the public interest, and insisted that ministries headed by BSP ministers have not been granted as concessions.

Asked about Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Chair Delyan Peevski’s participation in a potential joint government, Zafirov said that BSP would declare its position once the future of the government, currently supported by Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning, becomes clear.

On Tuesday, at a meeting of the GERB-UDF parliamentary group attended by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and ministers, GERB leader Boyko Borissov called for a government reshuffle and mentioned the possible replacement of Chair of the National Assembly Nataliya Kiselova.

On Wednesday, BSP's Executive Bureau released a statement to the media, noting that following the mandate-holder's leader's remarks, the party expects GERB to submit its proposals. These proposals will be reviewed by BSP governing bodies and discussed with coalition partners.

Zafirov urged all parties to act responsibly and uphold institutional standards, conducting discussions through appropriate channels rather than on social media.