Sofia ANALYSIS BAROMETER Political parties in Bulgaria GEORGI KARASIMEONOV, PhD(Editor) Issue 4, October- December 2017 J At the end of 2017 political tensions in the country intensified. The reasons for this are the increased confrontation between GERB and BSP, which led to a series of scandals, resignations and mutual accusations. All this could have a negative impact on the EU Council Presidency, starting on January 1st. Successful running of the Presidency is a major objective of the government and ruling majority. J In recent months BSP has proved that there may be an active opposition. In addition to developing alternative policies, the party has exposed a number of irregularities that have pushed GERB into an explanatory regime and has even become a cause for resignation among government officials. However, in an internal party plan, the tension between BSP leader Kornelia Ninova and the opposition in the party, which was also seen at the congress, continues. Although Ninova has consolidated her leadership position, balance in the party seems fragile, and at the first major political tremors, the opposition may seek revenge. J The extra-parliamentary right in the face of DSB and Yes, Bulgaria, together with other centrist formations like the Greens and DEOS(The Movement for European Unification and Solidarity), started a unification process with the launch of the Bulgarian Manifesto for Europe initiative. The main purpose of these formations is to become a real right-wing alternative to GERB, although at this stage sociological surveys show low voting support, insufficient to overcome the electoral barrier.