GERB AND ABC TALKS ON POSSIBLE COALITION TO CONTINUE AT EXPERT LEVEL

On 19th of October, the final day of the first round of consultations for a possible coalition government, the centre-right GERB had talks with the leadership of centre-left ABC party. Georgi Parvanov, ABC leader opted for a grand coalition. GERB described the negotiations as positive and gave an indication they would continue.

The talks were summarised as being a profound and useful dialogue. The two parties identified many similarities in their positions on the priorities for governance of the country, but found serious differences as well. ABC insists on increased role of the state in the economy and community relations, while GERB think the state should withdraw and have only strong regulatory functions. The main differences are in the healthcare, social and tax areas. As regards the reforms in the judicial system, the two parties shared mutually complementing ideas.

Roumyana Bachvarova from GERB said that the parties discussed the political framework proposed by GERB on formation of possible future government and outlined the areas of common ground.

Georgi Parvanov, the leader of ABC, said his party continued to think that grand coalition would be the best option for Bulgaria in such a heavy situation in view of overcoming the challenges and the forthcoming difficult winter. He added that grand coalition was also the best solution in respect of coming out of the crisis.

The difference between GERB and ABC were in the areas of tax system and the construction of Belene Nuclear Power Plant.

GERB insist on keeping in place the low flat rate tax, while ABC favour the progressive tax system.

As regards Belene nuclear power plant, GERB want to retain the moratorium on the construction of the second nuclear station, while ABC want the moratorium cancelled. The two political forces however had similar position on other issues in the energy sector.

Georgi Parvanov said they wanted the South Stream project to develop, in dialogue with the European Commission and in compliance with the European legislation.

GERB and ABC had different opinion on the pension reform, but said that this could be resolved in future talks at expert level.