The second round of discussions between the GERB party that won the early elections on 5 October and other political parties on formation of the new government ended on Sunday. During the week there were meetings with the Reformist Bloc, the Patriotic Front and ABV.  

 
Loaded with great expectations was the discussion between the leaders of the two largest formations represented in parliament – GERB and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). The result of the long-awaited meeting between Boyko Borissov (GERB) and Mihail Mikov (BSP) on Sunday was that there would be no broad coalition. BSP remains in opposition and even refused to accept the offer of GERB for the position of President of the National Assembly.  
 
"I presented our position that the party remains in opposition and this is determined by the results we achieved in the parliamentary elections,” Mihail Mikov said. “We would be constructive enough when solving serious problems that require responsible behavior of all political forces.”

Boyko Borissov said the mandate for forming a cabinet was not exclusively a GERB mandate. He added that after the parliament started work, he would call for a leadership meeting of the parties in the National Assembly, in order to look for a way out of the situation. Mr. Borissov does not accept the formula for a government with program support, but without the participation of political representatives of the supporting parties, as the agreement with the Patriotic Front was. This opinion caused a surprise because after negotiations with the PF GERB said that they accept the program agreement and similar agreements would be signed with the Reformist Bloc and other parties that could support the future cabinet. Boyko Borissov called on the Reformist Bloc and the Patriotic Front to appoint their representatives in the cabinet. 
 
"I'm ready to sign a joint program but shared responsibility means leaders must be in the cabinet. This is the place where problems are solved. Otherwise it would be better just to stay in parliament and have a government of the Oresharski type. Then we can have parliamentary and local elections simultaneously on July 1, for example. Until then we could focus only on the most urgent problems.”

 
"I want to confirm the decision of the Political Council that the PF will not participate with politicians in the government,” Valeri Simeonov said. “The decision was taken immediately after the election and it was later reaffirmed.”
 
"We do not have any claims about the ministers of GERB, but our coalition has every right to decide for itself," Krassimir Karakacanov added on his turn.  
 
On Sunday, the leaders of the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria and the Bulgaria for Citizens Movement Radan Kanev and Meglena Kuneva were selected by the MPs of the Reformist Bloc MPs as co-chairs of their joint parliamentary floor. This, according to them, will help consolidation and efficiency. 
 
"The choice of two co-chairs gives a signal that the group is stable and can make important decisions unanimously," Meglena Kuneva said.  
 
What is the position of the reformists after the GERB leader hinted on their important role in forming the government? 
 
"The decision about the representatives of the Reformist Bloc in the executive power will be taken by the Bloc itself and not its partners,” Radan Kanev said. “My personal decision relates to the fact that the main reforms, which are our goal, are related directly to legislative work." 
 
According to Kanev and Kuneva, the question of their participation in the cabinet has not been discussed yet.

English: Alexander Markov