Radan Kanev 'Ready to Fight' for Reformist Bloc Leadership

Former Reformist Bloc Spokesman Radan Kanev has said he considers himself fully capable of leading the right-wing coalition which is to elect its leader in September.

In an interview with private national channel bTV, he said his party, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB), known to be the biggest within the alliance, is due to decide on Tuesday whether or not to support his candidacy.

The ex-spokesperson stepped down on August 4, citing dissension within the bloc about its policies in regard to striking unions with other parties.

Kanev hailed the achievements of the Reformist Bloc in the light of Bulgaria's most recent history, underlining no other coalition had managed to run in two consecutive elections without breaking apart.

The Reformist Bloc was forged and consolidated in 2013 out of right-wing parties seeking to convey the image of a "right alternative".

Speaking of possible coalitions with other parties to form a government after the snap poll on October 5, he explained he could rule out any alliances with the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), "cops" or "communists".

He declared himself against a possible attempt of Boyko Borisov, Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB)'s leader, to become Prime Minister if his center-right party comes first at the polls.