BSP Leader Stanishev Demands Government Resignation, July Elections

Sergey Stanishev, leader of the senior partner in the ruling coalition, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), demanded the resignation of the government of Plamen Oresharski.

"We cannot have the responsibility for the existence and actions of this government solely by ourselves," said Stanishev in a televised press conference following the extraordinary session of the BSP leadership on Tuesday.

He added that it was fair that the Oresharski government resigns after the voting of the fifth no-confidence vote, which is expected to take place in Parliament later this week.

According to Stanishev, early elections in the end of July were feasible and necessary for a new government, legitimized by the people, to take control and ensure that the political crisis does not linger on.

The BSP leader outlined that at times like these, the different parties must unite, regardless of their differences.

Stanishev was also critical of his party members, without specifying particular names. What he referred to were the recurrent calls for his resignation following the weak European election results, which would "not solve the main problems in BSP". According to the former Prime Minister, too many people in the party are more concerned about personal gains, rather than the greater good.

"BSP has never been afraid of elections, and unlike some others, holding on to power is not our fixed objective", Stanishev added, saying that Bulgarians had forgotten too quickly the times of Boyko Borisov and GERB, when businesses were crushed and media freedom was virtually eliminated.