Kiril Petkov, co-chair of We continue the Change (PP) apologized for his words about Mariya Gabriel. The words are from a leaked audio recording from the meeting of the party’s National Council. “During the long night, in which PP must make a fateful decision on the second mandate (for the formation of a government – editorial note), there is a lot of emotion, many opinions, many labels,” Kiril Petkov writes on Facebook. “There was an imprecise statement on my part about Mrs. Mariya Gabriel,” he admits.

“I consider Mariya Gabriel to be a paragon of courage and of a woman’s flair for politics. I know how difficult it is to decide on such a step. With examples such as this, I believe we are sending a powerful message and motivation for more women to know that your place is exactly where you choose to be,” Kiril Petkov writes.