SOFIA, Bulgaria (AFP)--Bulgarian President Georgy Parvanov on Saturday called for the formation of a leftist-right coalition government on the eve of general elections widely expected to result in a hung parliament.
"The best option for Bulgaria is an agreement between the first two (political) groups to form a government," Parvanov said, referring to the main right and left parties.
Analysts predict a political stalemate and a fractured parliament after the vote on Sunday, with neither the center-right opposition GERB party, nor the outgoing Socialists standing a clear chance to find allies to govern.
Eve-of-ballot polls published Saturday showed GERB garnering 28% to 34% support, and its most probable government coalition partner, the Blue Coalition of two small right-wing parties, scooping 8% to 9.5%.
GERB leader, maverick Sofia mayor Boyko Borisov, has meanwhile declared himself apprehensive of all coalitions, where smaller allies could try to blackmail their bigger partner.
The outgoing Socialists are polled to gather between 19% and 23% of the vote.
They stand no real chance of gaining a majority in the 240-seat parliament even with support from their junior partner in the current government, the Turkish minority MRF party that is tipped to win 12% to 14% of the vote.
Both GERB and the Socialists have rejected seeking support from the ultra-nationalist Ataka party, expected to win 9% to 12% of the ballot, and have so far ruled out joining hands in a right-left government.
"I have the impression... that the main political forces faced with forming a government are resigned that it is impossible to achieve this. They seem to prefer remaining in opposition until the crisis is over," Parvanov said Saturday.
The next government has to be stable enough to "impose unpopular measures" against the crisis and has to count "on a large majority of 140-150 deputies" in the 240-seat legislature, he added.
"The leaders of the largest parties have to agree on 10 to 15 strategic national objectives... and form a strong government," Parvanov said.
Parvanov, however, added Saturday that political stalemate and repeat elections later this year were "the worst option" right now.
He vowed to convene the next parliament to come out of the vote Sunday as soon as July 14 and "be very quick in handing out the mandates" to parties to form a government.
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Publié le 04 Juillet 2009 Copyright © 2009 Dowjones