The negotiations surrounding the possible formation of a government with the support of GERB and PP-DB got bogged down in a new drama. The occasion this time are names from an unofficial list for a cabinet of the second political force. On Thursday, they appeared in media reports, although the coalition said they did not have a confirmed list. However, the unofficial led to a sharp reaction from GERB. Boyko Borisov’s party stated that they sounded like a joke and they could not support such a composition.
The problem is with Petkov and Vasilev
Among the names launched are those of the former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and Asen Vasilev, who was the Minister of Finance in the last mandate. Petkov was appointed deputy prime minister in charge of security services, and Vasilev – head of the same department. There is also talk of intentions to propose DSB leader Atanas Atanasov to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Nikolay Denkov, who is leading the negotiations on behalf of the PP-DB and who is said to be the nominee for prime minister, said that he sees Petkov and Vasilev in the executive branch. However, he said that at the moment each name is a rumor.
“It was decided that political figures could participate. We do not take seriously an expert cabinet without political figures, because someone has to bear the political responsibilityDenkov told bTV.
Better prepared than not
At the same time, in the parliament, the leader of GERB, Boyko Borisov, sang his old song that there is no one better prepared than him to be prime minister.
“I think that the colleagues from the PP-DB also see that there is no prime minister better prepared than me, but I withdrew to give a chance for a government. In my opinion, both Kiril and Asen should step back, an expert cabinet should be made and he should rule for four yearshe commented.
At the same time, Borisov stated that if Petkov and Vassilev participate in the government, GERB will propose “significant figures” such as Tomislav Donchev and Delyan Dobrev.
However, he concluded that the resulting list was most likely “internally controlled name dropping” and does not comment on rumors.
Sounds like a joke to me
“As for those names that have leaked into the public domain, they are a joke to me“.
This is how the former energy minister from GERB Temenuzka Petkova commented to Nova TV about the candidates for future ministers. She added that there could not be a government if the weight of the first political force was not taken into account.
The GERB did not receive a list of names from PP-DB, Petkova also said. Borisov also stated the same.
“There is no way that academician Denkov can be prime minister, provided that his party superiors will be deputy prime ministers. I don’t see how Kiril Petkov can be deputy prime minister and be responsible for the services, for the Eurozone, given that he was one of the main figures related to the illegal arrest of our leader and colleagues Goranov and Arnaudova. I do not see how Asen Vassilev will be the Minister of Finance, provided that he is one of the figures that the public finances are currently in this state. Mr. Atanasov also sounds unacceptable for the Minister of the InteriorPetkova also said.
Borisov may have forgiven, but the party has not
The leader of GERB may have forgiven for the arrest last year, but the party has not forgiven. This was stated by MP Toma Bykov to bTV.
A few days ago, Borisov said that he and Petkov had forgiven each other for the past.
However, GERB continues to remind that their leader was illegally arrested during the “Petkov” cabinet.
