A right-wing alliance that forms part
of Bulgaria's ruling coalition confirmed its support for Prime Minister
Boiko Borisov's minority government on Tuesday, averting an immediate
political crisis despite disagreements over judicial reforms."Reformist Bloc confirms its participation in the ruling coalition," the alliance said in a statement.
The
Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB), one of five small pro-business
parties that make up the Reformist Bloc, withdrew its support for the
government last Wednesday when parliament watered down changes in the
constitution aimed at overhauling the corruption-riddled judiciary.
The
reformists said they were concerned over lack of progress in combating
corruption and unity over the judicial reforms, and said they will
demand a review of the effort.
The
changes in the constitution, which included boost the independence of
judges, prompted the resignation of the justice minister.
A new justice
minister is expected to be nominated this week after talks between the
ruling center-right GERB party and the Reformist Bloc.
"I
do not expect any government shake-up in the next three months although
it is unclear what will be its policy from now on," Daniel Smilov, a
political analyst at the Sofia-based Center for Liberal Strategies.
Bulgaria, the
European Union's poorest country, is on its fifth government since 2013,
and is trying to return to growth and improve low living standards. But
widespread corruption is crippling progress.
Last
week, Borisov, whose minority government came to power last November on
reform pledges, said Bulgaria might have to hold elections as early as
February, as well as presidential polls, if the reformists decided to
quit.
The Reformist Bloc,
formally founded as a political coalition in late 2013, won 8.9 percent
of the vote at the parliamentary elections in October 2014, winning 23
seats in the national assembly. It also won one of Bulgaria's 17
European Parliament seats in May 2014.
Borisov's
government, which took office last November, lacks an outright majority
and relies on the support of center-left ABV party and nationalist
Patriotic Front to stay in power.
(Reporting by Angel Krasimirov; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
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