GERB
ГЕРБ |
|
---|---|
Leader | Boyko Borisov |
Chairman | Boyko Borisov |
Founded | December 3, 2006 |
Split from | National Movement for Stability and Progress |
Headquarters | Sofia |
Membership (2016) | 86,000 (2nd) |
Ideology |
Liberal conservatism Populism Pro-Europeanism |
Political position | Centre to Centre-right |
European affiliation | European People's Party |
International affiliation | International Democrat Union |
European Parliament group | European People's Party |
Colours | Blue, grey |
National Assembly |
95 / 240
|
European Parliament |
6 / 17
|
Website | |
http://www.gerb.bg/ | |
GERB (Bulgarian: ГЕРБ, Граждани за европейско развитие на България, "Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria") is a Bulgarian centre-right political party established on March 13, 2006. The initials of the party /gerb also translate as "coat of arms" in Bulgarian.
GERB is headed by Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov, former mayor of Sofia and former member of the National Movement Simeon II. The establishment of the party followed the creation of a non-profit organization with the acronym (in Bulgarian) GERB — Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria, earlier the same year. The name of the party is not stated to be an acronym, but is spelled in all caps nonetheless.
In early January 2007, and early February 2007, the party came second in public polls on party support with around 14%, trailing the Bulgarian Socialist Party which had around 25%. Its stated priorities are fighting crime and corruption, preserving family as the cornerstone of society and achieving energy independence.
GERB won the 2009 European Parliament election in Bulgaria with 24.36% of the vote. The party elected five MEPs and joined the European People's Party-European Democrats Group in the European Parliament (in the EPP section). On June 6, 2007 GERB applied formally to join as a member-party the European People's Party and joined EPP on February 7, 2008.