Georgi Karasimeonov(Ed.) B A R O M E T E R Bulgaria’s Political Parties Year 13, Issue 4 October- December 2013 The political situation in the country is still tense. Dialogue between those in power and the opposition is still as sharp and confrontational as it used to be. However, the government managed to hold against the protest wave and strengthen its positions, at this stage. The protests quieting down led to gradual normalization of the situation in this country. GERB continues to lose public support. The inconsequent actions of the party being in opposition led to voters withdrawing from it. It will be a challenge whether the party will manage to keep its parliamentary group intact after one MP left it. The protests have led to consolidation of the BSP electorate. According to the polls, currently the party is the first political force, albeit with a very small advantage over GERB. Despite the intra-party criticism towards Stanishev coming from various groups in the party, who have lost their positions in recent years, BSP leadership and its parliamentary group stand firmly behind their leader. Friedrich Ebert Foundation Office Bulgaria Analyses