The leader of Bulgaria's ruling Socialists (BSP), Sergei Stanishev, announced on Saturday his intention to resign as party leader after a poor showing in May's European elections. Stanishev, who has been the subject of mounting criticism within the BSP, told a party meeting on Saturday a congress on July 27 would "adopt the election campaign platform and elect a new chairperson of the party". "I will stay firm to the next leader," said Stanishev, who is also the leader of the European Socialists (PES). Last week, Stanishev, at the helm of the Socialist party since 2001, quit parliament to become a member of the European Parliament, citing "the new situation in Bulgaria and Europe after the (European) elections".
Source: Reuters