Sofia, 27 January 1997 (RFE/RL) - A member of Germany's Parliament, Gernot Erler, is holding talks in Sofia on Bulgaria's political and economic crisis. Erler was invited to Sofia in his capacity as Chairman of the Bulgaria-Germany Forum group.
Erler today said that he sees no way out of crisis for Bulgaria without at least a basic consensus among political parties.
Erler met new President Petar Stoyanov, Parliament Chairman Blagovest Sendov and the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team in Bulgaria, Franek Rozvadowski.
After talks with Erler, Parliament Chairman Sendov said the most realistic time to hold early elections is October or November -- about a year ahead of schedule. The opposition has called for elections in March. But, Sendov -- recognized as a reformer in the governing Bulgarian Socialist Party -- said holding elections now would be "suicidal."
IMF team leader Rozvadowski told Erler that failure to agree on a financial plan under a so-called "currency board," and a possible new default on foreign debt payments would be "disastrous" for Bulgaria.