Bulgarian Political Standoff: CC Leader Rejects Talks Without Key Reforms

In an interview with Bulgarian National Radio, Assen Vassilev, co-leader of the Continue the Change (CC) party, ruled out negotiations with the largest parliamentary force, GERB-UDF, unless it agreed to a declaration establishing a "sanitary cordon" around Delyan Peevski and his MRF-New Beginning group. Vassilev emphasized that signing the declaration, supported by CC and its coalition partner Democratic Bulgaria (DB), was essential to curbing Peevski's political influence, CE Report quotes BTA

Vassilev reiterated that this condition had been set before the October 27 elections. He described Peevski's influence as a significant source of Bulgaria's instability over the past several years.

Discussing coalition possibilities, Vassilev dismissed the idea of a four-party government including GERB-UDF, CC-DB, There Is Such a People, and BSP-United Left as "nearly impossible." GERB leader Boyko Borissov had previously suggested this as a potential solution but noted challenges in collaborating with CC.

President Rumen Radev announced consultations with parliamentary forces would begin on December 10 to explore government formation options.

Vassilev clarified that any independent decision by Yes, Bulgaria!—part of the Democratic Bulgaria coalition—to negotiate with GERB would conflict with CC's stance on governance.

The declaration in question calls for actions such as preventing MRF-New Beginning from holding deputy parliamentary leadership roles, halting the prosecutor general's election by the current expired Supreme Judicial Council, reforming the counter-corruption commission, and enacting key legislative changes. Some progress has already been made, with Peevski refraining from nominating a deputy chair candidate.