Talking about whether a pre-election rightist coalition was possible, the first question was whether such coalition was needed, Nikolai Svinarov, leader of the new-born Bulgarian New Democracy (BND) party told private channel Nova TV. “If it is judged that such a coalition is needed, then it should be proven that it is possible.” The eventual coalition could unite “all political formations in the rightist political field”.

“It is not about passing the threshold [to enter parliament], we want some 50-100 000 voters for another powerful rightist coalition in Bulgarian Parliament,” Svinarov said about the goals of such coalition.

“It is clear that there won’t be snap elections within two months, but there could be in the autumn,” he said. The European Union funding problems in Bulgaria “are the most serious problem and if it is not resolved, it could lead to snap elections.”

Svinarov, who was a defence minister in the National Movement for Stability and Progress cabienet, also commented on the statements of new Defence Minister Nikolai Tsonev that he would lead a more transparent policy. “I would not accept such accusations… but if Tsonev finds new higher levels of transparency, I will welcome it.” Svinarov said.

Krassimir Gorsov, father of Manuela Gorsova, one of the victims in a car accident, caused by two-time ice skating world champion Maxim Staviski, told Bulgarian National Television (BNT) that “the fact that he is Staviski doesn’t matter” and that the skater should be punished.

“If it was Manuela, she would probably forgive him, she is a very good kid. I would not,” Gorsov said.

Finance Minister Plamen Oresharski told private channel bTV that the budget surplus at the end of 2008 would be at lest two billion leva, but could be even double that amount. Oresharski also said that the state would cover part of the social insurances as a compensation for the increase of the healthcare insurance contributions from six to eight per cent.

Child benefits would be increased from June 1 2008 and pensions starting October 1, but the amount of the increase is still unknown, the minister also said.

The new head coach of Levski Sofia football club Vili Voutsov told bTV: “the truth is that I had the opportunity several times to be coach of CSKA, but I knew that if I did it, I would never return to [Levski ground] Gerena.” CSKA is Levski’s biggest rival in the country.

Former publisher of Duma newspaper, Petar Mandjoukov, with strong links to the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), told Nova TV that his decision to give up publishing the newspaper "was not due to the lack of trust, but communication was missing over the past months” between the editorial staff and the party.

“I imposed a more contemporary, European way of work [in the newspaper]. I did not allow the newspaper to serve one or another lobby in BSP, if someone starts using it as a tool for that, it would be a sin before the memory of [newspaper founder Stefan] Prodev.” It was up to the BSP leaders to pick the next publisher of the newspaper, he said.