Politics of Europe

In the last few days, the Greek government and main opposition SYRIZA have submitted their proposals for blocking Ellines - the party formed by Ilias Kasidiaris, a former top official of neo-Nazi Golden Dawn convicted of directing a criminal organization - from running in the upcoming general elections.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev arrives for two-day EU Council meeting in Brussels 20 October 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

Snap elections will take place in late March or early April. 

After the upcoming early parliamentary elections, the fifth in the last two years, GERB and BSP will not enter into a coalition... officially. The two formations would shake hands for an expert cabinet.

The Parliamentary Group of the Bulgarian Socialist Party gave a statement in parliament. "We brought out the most important priorities for Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people, which exist in the programs of all parties. We were looking for solutions to get out of the political crisis. We invited all the leaders of parties represented in the parliament for a conversation.

"Early elections are inevitable" - this is what BSP leader Kornelia Ninova said after the leadership meeting that took place in parliament. The conversation was between BSP, GERB, DPS and "Bulgarian Rise".

"We Continue the Change", "Democratic Bulgaria" and "Vazrazhdane" did not participate.

The leadership meeting organized by the parliamentary group, the receiver of the third mandate to form a government - BSP - began in the National Assembly.

The chairwoman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party Kornelia Ninova talked about management priorities with the leaders of GERB Boyko Borissov, DPS Mustafa Karadayi and "Bulgarian Rise" Stefan Yanev.

A deputy enters the plenary hall of parliament in Sofia, 19 October 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

President Rumen Radev commented that BSP will do everything possible to fulfill the third mandate. The head of state said he was not guided by the Nexo scandal in choosing which party to give the last chance to form a cabinet because he had already made up his mind.

"There is no way we can enter into a joint government with GERB. There is no way this will work," said Venko Sabrutev from "We Continue the Change" to Nova TV.

"We Continue the Change" held a meeting with the parliamentary parties in connection with obtaining the second mandate and the national priorities for forming a government. BSP, "Democratic Bulgaria", "Bulgarian Rise" and "Vazrazhdane" came to the meeting.