The parliamentary debates on the no confidence motion in the government filed by the Bulgarian Socialist Party over its policy in the environment and waters sector are over. The vote is to take place at 9 AM on 29 January.

So far, the only publicly declared support the left-wing opposition has obtained is that of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, DPS. Together, their votes do not come up to the majority of 121 votes needed to bring down the government.

This is the fourth vote of no confidence the socialists have submitted to the 44^th National Assembly. The previous three were over security, corruption and healthcare.

The opposition has every right to demand a vote of no confidence at any time, but it is the right of the ruling party to want to bring their programme to completion, said Environment Minister Emil Dimitrov.