Former interior minister Roumen Petkov, one of the most recognisable and controversial politicians of the former ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), said he no longer envisaged a place for himself in the party leadership, Bulgarian-language Standard daily said on August 13 2009.

At a meeting with BSP supporters in the town of Stara Zagora on August 12, Petkov said that he did not see himself as part of the current or future BSP leadership.

"My name has been burdened with so many negative connotations and I don't want to hinder in any way BSP's efforts in restoring its authority, " said Petkov, often considered to be one of the most powerful and influential figures in the BSP.

Petkov said that these negative connotations were based on slanders which have created a certain negative image in society.

Petkov was one of the most criticised BSP officials during the coalition cabinet of BSP leader Sergei Stanishev, who lost the July 5 2009 elections. Petkov was forced to resign in April 2008 following his statements that he had held personal meetings with people who had been under investigation.

Known for his direct, aggressive, frank and - according to his critics -  often insulting way of speaking, Petkov has always been one of the most controversial Bulgarian politicians.

At the Stara Zagora meeting Petkov also asked for radical changes in both BSP policy and leadership, following the worst election result the party has had in decades.

According to Standard, however, he did not say whether these changes should include removing BSP leader Stanishev.

Following the election defeat a number of BSP top officials demanded Stanishev's resignation, believing that he should accept political responsibility for the BSP's poor result.

Instead Stanishev sought a vote of confidence at the party’s July 18 2009 national council meeting, which he won.

Stanishev told the national council meeting that he was had not been ashamed of anything he had done in the past four years in which the BSP had led the government, and nothing that he had done as BSP leader or as prime minister could be described as a failure.

By October 17, the party’s highest body will complete an assessment of the BSP’s performance in the elections and indicate the party's future policy direction.

On October 18 2009 the BSP will hold its highest forum, the party congress,  which, however, does not have the election of a new leader on its itemised agenda.