Georgi Karasimeonov(Ed.) BA R O M E T ER Bulgaria’s Political Parties Year 16, Issue 1, January-March 2016 The migrant crisis was one of the main topics that shaped the political situation in the coun­try. This will be one of the greatest challenges the government will face in the following days and months. The shutting down of the so called Balkan route might lead to redirecting the migrant flow towards Bulgaria. The government is undertaking preventive measures to guard our southern border and, if needed, reinforcements from the Bulgarian Army will be sent. GERB’s government stands stable. The internal party’s mobilisation is at its highest and shows support for the government. Despite the criticism from the opposition, neither BSP and MRF, nor DSB can be viewed as a serious alternative to GERB at this point of time. Prime Minister Borisov confirmed his foreign policy positions, acknowledging the significance of the state with regard to the migrant crisis and the protection of the external border of the EU. The Reformist Bloc continues to exist more in theory than in practice. The processes of division within it are now more and more visible after the decision of the DSB to become an opposition party. Currently the struggle of the parties in the bloc is for the trademark Reformist Bloc and which one of them will keep it. This is one of the reasons why DSB’s stance is so indeterminate – on one hand to be in opposition and, on the other, to remain in the parliamentary group. Probably the RB will dissolve ultimately with the nearing of the presidential elections. An internal party priority of the BSP is the forthcoming congress at the beginning of May. It seems that the main battle will be between the present leader Mihail Mikov and Kornelia Ninova. The congress will be of great importance for BSP, and will show whether the party can manage to emerge from political stalemate which it has been experiencing for the sec­ond consecutive year. Office Bulgaria Analyses