Purvanov Will Step Down as ABV Leader after Party Backs New Debt Agreement

Sofia, February 26 (BTA) - ABV leader and former president
Georgi Purvanov said in a televised interview Thursday that he
will resign as leader of ABV after ABV's parliamentary group
backed Wednesday's ratification of an 8 billion euro debt
agreement. Purvanov will tender his resignation at the first
meeting of ABV's National Council.

Purvanov said: "ABV changed its position and I want to apologize
to our voters."

He went on to say that ABV's parliamentary group probably due to
miscommunication at the eleventh hour decided to believe
Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov that he will reduce the debt
by 2 billion leva and support him. "This happened despite my
opposition. I see this vote as a serious political mistake on
the part of ABV," said Purvanov. He added he didn't believe
Goranov.

Purvanov said that the position of ABV's minister Ivailo Kalfin
within the coalition government was "moral in its own way".
Purvanov said that Kalfin was right that if ABV was against the
debt, Kalfin could not stay on in the government.