Bulgarian President, after New Year mandate to government

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, DEC 17 - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced that, following the New Year, he will give the first mandate to form a new government to the conservative party Gerb, which was the first political force in the most recent elections, and urged the parties to reach an agreement to form a new majority. "There is no exact date. If this week is truly necessary for talks between the various parliamentary formations, I will be unable to issue the mandate until early next week, when the Christmas and New Year holidays begin," Radev said, giving the MPs more time to reach an agreement.
    (ANSA).