Bulgaria: finally out of the stalemate?

In Bulgaria, a way out of the political deadlock is emerging. In coalition talks between the two election winners, the centre-right Gerb-SDS alliance led by ex-prime minister Boyko Borissov and Kiril Petkov of the pro-Western PP-DB bloc, Borissov has agreed to support a PP-DB minority government. The national press is not sure what to make of the deal.

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Fakti.bg (BG) /

Turning a new leaf for the benefit of the country

The ex-prime minister is showing himself in a new light, comments fakti.bg full of wonder:

“A patient Borissov! This is not his usual role. He has probably realised that he can't govern the country again. ... GERB is a strong party but the people didn't give it enough votes for a majority. Now it is changing its image to that of a party that embraces dialogue and openness and even displays signs of remorse - as its approval of the judicial reform [initiated by potential coalition partner Petkov] shows.”

Deutsche Welle (BG) /

Pointless compromise

It is only a matter of time before this coalition crumbles, predicts Ivaylo Ditchev on the Bulgarian service of Deutsche Welle:

“For the duration of the meeting between the two parties Borissov refrained from making accusations. But who will triumph in the end? The [pro-Western PP-DB] will pull the cart and pride themselves on being in government, the others [the centre-right alliance GERB] will forever have their finger on the election button, threatening to topple them from power. The former want to lead Bulgaria towards a European future, the others are casting their leader and his past in concrete. It would have been interesting to probe for psychological depths at this meeting of egos, but if you ask me, it's high time politics got a little more dull.”