The Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, will probably hold onto the third exploratory mandate (for forming a government) at least until 12 August, BSP leader Kornelia Ninova made it clear after a meeting of the chairs of the parties taking part in the negotiations on the formation of a cabinet.

• BSP ask potential partners how long they should hold government-forming mandate
  
• Energy and Water Regulatory Commission to have new chair in two or three weeks
  

The meeting was called after the Constitutional Court ruled that the election of the chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, Stanislav Todorov, is unconstitutional. The leaderships of the parliamentary groups of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, We Continue the Change, Democratic Bulgaria and There Is such a People agreed that a procedure must be launched immediately for the election of a chairperson of the energy regulator. The time it will take from its launch until a chairperson of the commission is elected means that the National Assembly will have to function until at least 12 August. The BSP is likely to hold onto the exploratory mandate until that time, because for the vote to take place there has to be a functioning parliament.