Borissov on Bulgarian election result: GERB-UDF will be ‘constructive opposition’

Speaking on April 21 in his first formal statement since Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections two days earlier, Boiko Borissov said that his GERB-UDF group would be a “constructive opposition”.

In the April 19 early parliamentary elections, ex-president Roumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria got 44.59 per cent of the vote, meaning that it will have enough seats in the 52nd National Assembly to form a ruling majority and a government without requiring a coalition partnership.

Borissov’s GERB-UDF came a distant second with 13.39 per cent of the vote.

He congratulated Radev on the election victory and said that there would be a “one-man government”.

Borissov said that his resignation as leader of GERB-UDF was not on the agenda.

He blamed his extremely poor results on his friendship with Movenent for Rights and Freedoms – New Beginning leader Magnitsky Act-sanctioned Delyan Peevski and with We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria.

Borissov said that Radev had let GERB and WCC-DB “fight”.

“Two fight, the third one wins,” Borissov said.

He outlined the conclusions for GERB-UDF – no more compromises and no more dependencies, as well as no more participation in unprincipled coalitions.

He said that the cooperation with the MRF and Peevski and the leftward shift of GERB were devastating for the party and it received its deserved punishment.

“Dialogue with Radev is not necessary, because he already has all the power. Cooperation is possible only if explicitly requested,” Borissov said, responding to questions related to his position on changing the composition of the Supreme Judicial Council and possible changes to the constitution.

(Photo via GERB’s Facebook page)