Today, President Rumen Radev is to hand the third exploratory mandate for the formation of a government to the third biggest parliamentary group in the 46^th National Assembly – “Bulgarian Socialist Party for Bulgaria” (BSP).

After it was announced that the mandate would go to the BSP, last night, BSP leader Korneliya Ninova stated that she would invite ITN (“There Is Such a People”), “Democratic Bulgaria” and “Stand Up, BG! We Are Coming!” for negotiations, excluding the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.

ITN declared they will hold talks with the BSP but will not support a BSP government.

“Democratic Bulgaria” co-chair Hristo Ivanov said he was surprised that the mandate was going to the BSP. “The group will decide whether to support the government after its composition is put forward,” he said.

“Stand Up, BG! We Are Coming!” stated they would negotiate with the BSP but under the condition that the Movement for Rights and Freedoms and GERB will not take part.

For a government to be approved, more than half of the MPs in attendance must support it.