GERB Leader Borissov dismisses possible coalition with “We Continue the Change”

Speaking to journalists on August 8 during a visit to Rila Monastery, GERB leader Boyko Borissov commented on the problems with the suspended motorway construction and maintenance.

In his words, the number of road fatalities and accidents has risen dramatically during the period in which Boyko Rashkov was the Minister of Interior and the roads are extremely unmaintained and neither the crash barriers, nor the asphalt are repaired.

Referring to the gas crisis, Borissov said President Radev had insulted him greatly by comparing him to former PM Kiril Petkov.

GERB leader Boyko Borissov stressed that when he was the Prime Minister, hundreds of kilometres of new gas pipelines had been built in the country.

He dismissed a possible coalition with "We Continue the Change" (majority partner on the formaer ruling coalition).

Whether GERB party will coalesce and with whom will become clear after the elections, Borissov said.

According to him, the "Petkov - Vassilev" experiment has caused billions of damage to the state. This is the reason for GERB's decision not to coalesce with "We Continue the Change" party.

"With each passing day and given the damage inflicted by the party of change, our supporters oppose forming a coalition with them for the upcoming elections," Borissov said.

Asked about “There is Such a People Party” and “Democratic “Bulgaria” (partners in the former ruling coalition), Borissov said: I can't talk about the other parties before the elections are over, a lot depends on the results," he said.

He said President Rumen Radev had insulted him by comparing Kiril Petkov's government with his.

"President Radev insulted me a lot by comparing me to former PM Kiril Petkov, saying that I, too, had "thrown around pipes in the field". If he wants, he can have the hundreds of kilometres of new gas pipelines we made inspected.

GERB government made a gas pipeline under the Danube - the connection with Romania. We made over 600-700 km of new gas pipelines, and they (referring to Kiril Petkov’s government) still cannot finish the 100 km that were left on the Greek link in a year and a half. I made Bulgaria own 80 km of compressor stations in the whole Balkans. In 2009, when GERB government came in power, the first thing we did was to remove the intermediaries in gas supplies, which they have now restored. Over 120-130 million a month is now being stolen by the intermediaries," he said.

Asked whether Bulgaria should have a contract with Gazprom, Borissov said.

"They could have continued their supplies for a few months and in the meantime signed long-term contracts."

At the Rila Monastery, Borissov toured the site where construction is about to begin on a water treatment plant that will serve the Holy Monastery and sites in the adjacent area.