Bulgaria's GERB to Start Talks on New Gov't Monday

Conservative GERB party, which won the early elections on October 5, will hold a first round of negotiations on a next cabinet on Monday, October 13, party officials say.

The center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB)'s first interlocutor will be the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), which came second though running neck-and-neck with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS).

GERB had earlier declared it would hold talks with all parties that made it into Parliament, but had warned it ruled out any prospects of a coalition with either BSP or DPS.

The meetings which begin next week will be held in the National Assembly building in Bulgaria's capital Sofia, with both parties attending them committed to issuing joint statements for the media.

GERB leader Boyko Borisov, tipped by his party to be Bulgaria's next Prime Minister, will personally take part in the dialogue.

Daily Pressa reported earlier on Tuesday Borisov was ready to "make reasonable compromises" for those who support his policy proposals.

"For example, if the Bulgarian Socialist Party has reasonable ideas on defence, I don't see why I can't give them the opportunity to propose one of their own for defense minister," he was quoted as saying.

At a press conference on Monday GERB also declared it would seek a minority government, asking other parties for support.

Eight political forces made it into Parliament after the snap poll on Sunday, October 5, an unprecedented number of parties in the country's recent history.