Bulgaria

Bulgaria will not fulfill the ultimatum set yesterday by Russia - to revise its decision on the expulsion of 70 people - diplomats and employees from Moscow's missions in our country.

Two important political plots await an outcome today - who will be the candidate of "We Continue the Change" for prime minister in the new attempt to form a government and how will Bulgaria react to Moscow's ultimatum to cancel the unprecedented decision to expel 70 Russian diplomats and officials from Bulgaria the embassy.

"The expulsion of the Russian diplomats is logical, when there is no respect, such steps follow," Defense Minister Dragomir Zakov said on BNT.

According to him, ways must be sought for the Russian state to continue to be represented in Bulgaria in a way that respects the dignity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country.

In June, eight parties received enough support from voters to enter parliament, and in three of them, those who sympathize with Bulgaria's alliance with Russia and Belarus outnumber those who support the European Union and NATO. In just one of them, more than half are about to turn to Moscow and Minsk, which together attacked Ukraine four months ago.

Less than 24 hours after the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats, BSP leader Kornelia Ninova announced that the Bulgarian Socialist Party has suspended all negotiations with "We Continue the Change" to form a cabinet.

Bulgarian outgoing Prime Minister Kiril Petkov greets his supporters after the no-confidence vote ousts his government in front of parliament in Sofia, 22 June 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

"Most of these people were working directly for foreign services and their diplomatic role was only a cover-up", Petkov said on Tuesday evening.

The Minister Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in Sofia Philip Voskresensky - the highest-ranking diplomat, among the 70 who must leave Bulgaria by July 3, announced that the country's consular services in Bulgaria have stopped working. The reason is that they are left without staff to do their job.

The consultations convened by President Rumen Radev with the parliamentary groups for forming a new government within the current National Assembly continued for the second day. Here you can catch up on the first day.

The National Council of "We Continue the Change" (WCC) has given a mandate to start negotiations for a new government. On Tuesday, consultations will be held with "Democratic Bulgaria" and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), as well as with independent deputies, the party said.

Consultations with President Rumen Radev to form a new government within this parliament continue today. At Dondukov 2 he received representatives of "Democratic Bulgaria".