President Rumen Radev has confirmed that Bulgaria will head to a snap election after all major parties declined mandates to form a government, extending the country’s prolonged political deadlock.
Radev on Friday (16 January) offered the final mandate to the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, which refused—marking the third rejection this week. With no bloc able to command a stable majority in a fragmented parliament, Bulgaria now faces its eighth election in four years.
The collapse followed the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s coalition, backed by GERB-SDS, amid weeks of protests over corruption and proposed tax rises. Reformist PP-DB also declined to form a cabinet.
Radev will appoint a caretaker government and set an election date, as the EU’s poorest member seeks stability to unlock funds, attract investment, and tackle systemic corruption.
Key developments
• Eighth snap election in four years
• Caretaker cabinet to be appointed
• Political instability threatens EU fund absorption and investment
ℹ️ Reuters
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