Bulgaria's ex-Justice Min Founds New Political Project

Hristo Ivanov, who stepped down as Bulgaria's Justice Minister last December, launched a new political project on Friday.

At a meeting held exactly a year after he resigned after what he saw as a failed judicial reform, he told the audience that a "broad structure" of civic organizations and politicians was needed to address corruption and issues with the rule of law.

"As part of this community we are launching a new political party," news website Dnevnik.bg quotes him as saying.

The party needs to go beyond left-right divides and should unite around issues such as the fight against corruption.

It will seek participation in the forthcoming early election in the spring, Ivanov said.

He made it clear GERB, the party of outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borisov that has dominated Bulgarian politics for a decade, would have to change in order to gain his new party's trust.

Ivanov warned corruption is expanding and "eating out" more institutions.

Radan Kanev, the leader of right-wing Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) which last year moved into opposition to the outgoing cabinet, after Ivanov stepped down, was also present at the meeting.

Kanev, who earlier announced he would begin a new project himself but did not immediately take the step, later wrote on Facebook that DSB would take part in Ivanov's nascent party.