Bulgaria political deadlock on forming government: PP

SOFIA, December 6, Reuters -- Bulgaria's largest political party, We Continue The Change PP expects to form a coalition government with three other parties soon and put an end to a political deadlock, Kiril Petkov, leader of the PP, said on Monday.

The new centrist party won the third parliamentary election this year on Nov. 14 on pledges to root out corruption and steer the European Union's poorest member towards prosperity.

The PP is holding coalition talks with the Socialists and two right-wing factions to form the first regular cabinet since April, when public anger over graft ended the decade-long rule of veteran centre-right premier Boyko Borissov.

Petkov, 41, nominated by his party for the post of prime minister, said a draft coalition agreement was sent to the PP's future partners late on Sunday after constructive talks. The parliamentary majority of the four parties will be 134 seats.

At the beginning of the consultations on forming a new government, Petkov told President Rumen Radev that Bulgaria already needs a regular government.

Petkov, a Harvard-educated business executive, said that we hope to present you our proposal for a coalition cabinet in the shortest time.

Radev is expected to invite the PP to form a government as early as Wednesday. It would have seven days to present a proposal for a cabinet under the constitution.

Petkov said the PP's allies would discuss a coalition in the next two days.

The new government is expected to overhaul the anti-corruption agency to address high-level corruption, increase COVID 19 vaccinations and take measures to protect the economy and the most vulnerable from high energy prices.

Petkov said that all parties are committed to work together, although the planned coalition would bring together left, centrists and right-wing factions.

No matter whether you are right-wing, leftist or centrist, Bulgaria needs highways, safe dams and good incomes, he said, adding that the new government would work to bring back millions of Bulgarians who left to seek better pay abroad.