Bulgaria Opposition Paves Way for Early Election after Govt Resigns

Bulgarian biggest opposition BSP party's leader Korneliya Ninova has made it clear she will not seek to form a government after the ruling GERB party resigns.

"I will return the [government] mandate," Ninova has responded to a journalist's question during a press conference of Rumen Radev, the socialist-backed candidate who won overwhelmingly the presidential elections on Sunday. Radev ran as independent but was fully backed by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). 

Her words come after Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced he would step down over the election results, leaving it up to the BSP, the second-largest parliamentary force, to seek a new government.

Ninova, however, has been explicit, arguing she would not try to make a new cabinet with just 38 lawmakers in the 240-strong Parliament. 

At least 120 MPs would be needed to secure a stable parliamentary majority.