GERB will not join any coalition in which it is not the dominant party, party leader Boyko Borisov said at a briefing at GERB headquarters. He was answering prime minister Rumen Radev, who said Borisov and Delyan Peevski speak and act arrogantly.

Radev addressed the two men at the start of today's cabinet meeting. He said yesterday's detention of the mayor of Sungurlare was only the start of unravelling a scheme. The prime minister said that when there is no justice and no payback for what was plundered, it breeds a sense of impunity and self-importance. He said Peevski and Borisov had gone back to their arrogant style.

What happened before: Radev: Arrest of Sungurlare mayor is only the start

"They are very nervous, because they can no longer form 'patchwork deals' with power-hungry political partners ready for monstrous incestuous unions," Radev added.

GERB MPs met Borisov at party headquarters after today's extraordinary session of parliament failed to take place for lack of a quorum. "I don't think the Council of Ministers is a party headquarters, where you threaten the opposition," he said. He said the prime minister has two main jobs: "to keep the country safe – drones are falling, ships are being sunk in the Black Sea – and to get a grip on prices, which have shot into space."

"I am surprised by his words, because only a few days ago we spoke on the phone, then we were together at the Consultative Council for National Security, and I did not notice any such attitude," Borisov said.

He said the reason is a protest that GERB did not organise and a falling government rating, so the government is looking for "a suitable chewing gum – Borisov – Peevski". He said the two are not in one package, each party is on its own, and they have not spoken or seen each other for a month.

"When they entered the town hall in Vratsa, our group did not meet to comment. We said: whatever the law enforcement bodies decide," Borisov said. He said GERB finds it natural to respond when the prime minister speaks for the law enforcement bodies without having the right to do so.

"If it is arrogant to say that diesel has gone from 2 leva to €2.20 – I understand," Borisov said. He said electricity bills this month are 30% to 40% higher. He added that the requested 34% rise in the price of gas will hit district heating companies and all production directly.

GERB's top body has decided that the party will not enter "patchwork deals" or coalitions if it is not the dominant party and if its right-wing, centrist and conservative programmes are not accepted. Borisov called GERB the second political force. He called on Radev to get on with his own tasks: "Right now, 'when there is no bread, I'll offer spectacles' works only for a while, and I say this with concern."

"As you can see, we are not taking part in this election campaign. Some are fighting 'the Petrich Escobar', others are fighting 'Petrohan'. We want to help the government with proposals to keep the country out of the debt spiral we are entering," Borisov said. He added that these elections are not theirs and the party has other tasks.

Asked whether GERB would back a presidential ticket in the first or second round, Borisov replied: "Support nobody asked for is not given."

GERB will comment on the new draft budget once it has the document.

On Saturday and Sunday the party is holding a national academy for half of Bulgaria and will present a shadow cabinet with 18 ministries. Each will have 5 to 7 people from the academy, with mentors – experienced GERB members – behind them, who will set them games.

Borisov will announce the party's position on Sunday's vote after the academy ends.