Bulgaria's largest party refuses to form government

The GERB-SDS parliamentary faction in Bulgaria has rejected President Rumen Radev’s proposal to try forming a new government, increasing the likelihood of early elections, local media report.

On January 12 morning, Radev handed the first mandate to GERB to form a government, which was accepted by outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.

The folder remained in Zhelyazkov’s hands for only a few minutes before he returned it empty.

“A year ago, I handed you a successfully formed cabinet… Over this year, the government, formed in the spirit of constructivism, has carried out extensive and significant work and achieved its strategic goals,” Zhelyazkov told the president.

He noted that over the past year, the government undertook substantial work, made unpopular decisions, and faced six votes of no confidence. He also emphasised that the next parliamentary elections could be held as early as March 29.

If no party manages to form a cabinet, the president will dissolve parliament, and Bulgaria will hold its eighth early election in four years.

For context, Zhelyazkov’s government resigned after six votes of no confidence from the opposition and protests both in Bulgaria and abroad. Demonstrations initially erupted in response to dissatisfaction with the budget, which was compiled in euros for the first time.

By Khagan Isayev