In a June 12 interview for Bulgarian-language Troud daily President Georgi Purvanov expressed concerns and criticism regarding some of the policies of Prime Minster Sergei Stanishev.

Ahead of the July 23 the European Commission's (EC) interim report on Bulgaria's progress on judiciary and the fight against corruption and organised crime, Purvanov said that he expected the report to be highly critical.

“I believe that there would not be a safeguard clause imposed on Bulgaria, but I expect criticism. I also expect that EC to encourage the Government to make up the lost momentum,” Purvanov told Trud.

He criticised Stanishev for appointing his adviser Ivaylo Danailov as head of the board of Mini Maritsa-Iztok mining complex. Purvanov found the appointment of people that were part of Stanishev's team in the management of state-owned companies as a serious political mistake by Stanishev, “especially when they have no relation to the business of the respective companies”.

For Purvanov these appointments was something inexplicable and short-sighted because they came in the light of a scandal that saw state officials not declaring their incomes from state-owned companies. “Instead of putting this scenario to an end we see the appointment of government advisers [in state-owned companies]”.

The interview prompted a variety of reactions from both the opposition and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). Both Purvanov and Stanishev are considered prominent BSP figures with Stanishev being the current party leader after Purvanov left the post to become President in 2001. 

One of Purvanov's own advisers Ventsislav Dimitov told private radio broadcaster Darik on June 14 that should the EC report come out negative for Bulgaria, Stanishev and the BSP had to step down from power. On June 16, Dimitrov told Bulgarian National Television that his statement showed his own opinion, not Purvanov's.

BSP's Yanaki Stoilov, who is head of the Parliament's committee on legal affairs was quoted as saying by mediapool.bg that Purvanov “should not forget from which party he came from." Both Purvanov and Stanishev had enough personal qualities to keep the pressure among them down, Stoilov was quoted as saying.

Sofia mayor Boiko Borissov, the leader of the biggest party in opposition, the Citizens for the European  Development of Bulgaria (abbreviated as GERB in Bulgaria), told reporters that Purvanov wanted to distance himself from the Government “that he created in 2005”. His opinion was shared by the right-wing Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria.

Stanishev, who is currently on a four -day visit to the United States, has so far refused to comment the words of his predecessor as party leader.