ABV 'Provides for Stability' of Bulgaria's Govt - Leader

Left-wing ABV is ensuring the stability of Bulgaria's new government, its leader, President (2002-2012) Georgi Parvanov has said.

In a Saturday interview for private national channel bTV Parvanov explained the "Djankov" model, a notion of governing under permanent austerity programs, would be abandoned in Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's new cabinet, particularly due to the efforts of one of his deputies, Ivaylo Kalfin.

Kalfin, Deputy PM in charge of demographic and social policy, took up office after Parvanov and Borisov struck a deal under which Alternative for Bulgarian Revival (ABV) sent a minister to the cabinet of conservative GERB and right-wing Reformist Bloc (RB) and thus secured stronger parliamentary majority for the new ruling axis.

Parvanov added he was able to find "a difference" in the behavior of Borisov's second government compared to the previous one (2009-2013).

"I hope with the declarations he is now making in terms of dialogue, interaction, coalition culture [and] decision-making he will justify our confidence," ABV's leader stressed.

The party's Chairman also outlined the reasons that brought ABV into the government.

"Firstly, Bulgaria needs a government, and not new elections, since that would be catastrophic - I hope no-one contests this. Bulgaria needs good and stable governance. With this regard we are close to GERB's idea of stable governance."

As for the third reason, he cited ABV's expected role of "a social corrective" of the right-leaning government.

Parvanov reminded most of his party's proposals placed during the government consultations in October and early in November had been accepted by GERB.