“What we are seeking is unity around the national priorities in the hope that the last mandate will be utilized,” President Rumen Radev stated, addressing the representatives of We Continue the Change party during the consultations he is organizing on the formation of a government. 

• Bulgarian President holds consultations over third government-forming mandate
• GERB/SDS returns the second government-forming mandate
  

As an argument in support of the formation of a prospective cabinet, the Bulgarian President pointed to the problems in the conditions of a global crisis: 

“I am holding consultations with all political forces represented in parliament, in search of unity around national aims and priorities, and in the hope that the last chance that a government will be formed within the current parliament will be used. Obviously, now that new red lines have been set down, this will be no easy task. But politicians, in parliament and in the government, are there by the will of the Bulgarian citizens who expect to see a dialogue, compromise, understanding and hard work for solving their problems, which, in the conditions of a global political and economic crisis, have been growing with every passing day. The fact there is no long-term agreement on the delivery of gas bodes a cold winter and ruin for businesses,” the President said. 

“I would like to give my assurances that some of the terrible scenarios different political analysts have been painting are, to a great extent, a way to additionally instill fear in society,” said on his part outgoing Prime Minister and co-chairman of We Continue the Change Kiril Petkov. “Because, as you know, Azeri gas is going to flow at one-third of the price of our previous suppliers. Our industrial production places us at the top of the list of EU countries. The economic situation is dire with regard to the inflation, which is being brought in from outside, but in real terms, at this point, and in spite of all crises, the government of coping very well.” 

• BSP, ITN and DB parties are ready to unite for third government-forming mandate
  

Kiril Petkov stated further that his party would do everything possible so there may be a functioning National Assembly and government. “The one thing we are not prepared to do is to hand all resources over to a handful of people who will rob the population,” Kiril Petkov said, and added that if the third mandate is handed to any of its coalition partners, We Continue the Change will be open to “talks and dialogue”. “We shall negotiate with MPs from all political parties who are capable of making their own decisions and who are not dependent on behind-the-scenes puppet masters outside parliament,” Kiril Petkov stated.