GERB leader Boyko Borisov has denied that he is nervous or acting together with Peevski. Prime minister Rumen Radev had said the two men are nervous because they cannot dictate to the cabinet.

Earlier the same day, Radev accused the opposition of "arrogant talk". Borisov said Radev told people last week that Borisov "amuses" him.

"Either I amuse him, or I am arrogant. I can't find a way to express myself," Borisov said.

He said Radev's words surprised him, as he noticed no such attitude when they last spoke. They talked by phone a few days earlier, and then sat together at a Consultative Council. Borisov said he has not been in touch with Peevski for months and they have not met, so there is no reason to put them "in one package".

Borisov said GERB did not organise the protest against the government, and the protesters are against his party too. When there is a protest and the cabinet's ratings fall, he said, people look for a handy topic, and this one is "Borisov-Peevski".

The Council of Ministers should not threaten the opposition because it is not a party headquarters, the GERB leader said. He said the government has more important priorities, and the prime minister is commenting on topics outside his remit.

Borisov said Radev's job is "to keep the country safe, because ships are sinking off the Black Sea coast and drones are falling, and to get a grip on prices that are going through the roof".

He said diesel has risen from 2 leva (€1.02) to €2.20. Electricity bills are 30% to 40% higher this month, and a 34% rise has been requested for gas. Bread is baked with gas, so it will cost more, he said.

Worry about prices is not arrogance, Borisov said. He said the Consumer Protection Commission "does not work", so it is to blame for prices getting out of hand.

"Some are fighting Escobar, others Petrohan," Borisov said, while GERB proposes steps against the debt spiral Bulgaria is entering. He said the opposition should deal with that. He added that perhaps he should stop talking and the party should get a spokesperson, or speak through artificial intelligence with a "soft timbre".

Borisov said there will be no unprincipled coalitions involving GERB. The party will not enter patchwork deals or coalitions unless it dominates and its right-wing, centrist and conservative programmes and policies are part of the government, he said.

With the presidential election coming, GERB backs no candidate for now and is not taking part in the campaign. "Support nobody asked for is not given," Borisov said.