Bulgarian Socialists Make Last-Chance Attempt to Form Govt

Kornelia Ninova, the leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, casts her vote at parliamentary elections in March 2017. Photo: EPA/VASSIL DONEV

The BSP, which came third in the most recent polls in July, is being given the chance to form a government after failed attempts by the winning party There is Such a Nation and former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's GERB.

Radev said that "the main reason for my decision is the thousands of honest socialists I know". He ran for the presidency in 2016 as an independent candidate but was supported by BSP and is expected to do the same in his next campaign.

BSP leader Kornelia Ninova told media that her party will start talks with three other parties associated with anti-government protests last year - There is Such a Nation, Democratic Bulgaria and Stand Up.BG! We're Coming.

"As the party with the mandate, our role is to be mediators, we have to find a way to solve the differences and find a common language with the others," said Ninova, who also promised to announce cabinet suggestions next week.

However, Democratic Bulgaria and There is Such a Nation have dismissed the possibility of any agreement, mostly because of the BSP's pro-Russia stance and connections to the former Communist regime.

Although Stand Up.BG! We're Coming!'s leader Maya Manolova is a former BSP member, her party has also expressed reservations about collaborating with the Socialists.

Bulgaria has already held two parliamentary elections this year, in April and July, without any party being able to form a government so far.

The Socialists have already tried and failed twice after the polls in April and July, as did GERB and There is Such a Nation.

A public opinion survey published on August 25 by...