Bulgaria would soon be governed by a “stable government” after the two biggest rival political parties agreed to rule through a coalition after hectic parlays, former EU commissioner for innovation Mariya Gabriel, who led the negotiations, said on Monday.

"We all made a lot of concessions," Gabriel told a news conference in the country's capital Sofia, reports AFP news agency.

Gabriel's conservative GERB and the anti-graft We Continue the Change (PP) will propose a government of experts for a period of 18 months.

GERB's nominee for prime minister Maryia Gabriel, and Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria's leader Nikolay Denkov have agreed to rotate as head of the government every nine months, Gabriel said.

Initially, Gabriel, the 44-year-old ex-commissioner who resigned from her post in Brussels last week, will take on the mantle of the deputy prime minister, while 60-year-old researcher Nikolay Denkov of the PP will be the prime minister. Two years later, both will swap their positions.

This is the first time that Bulgaria will be ruled under a rotating premiership. A coalition government was the only option for both parties after Gabriel failed to secure backing from two out of three smaller parties in the fragmented legislature for a cabinet.

"We sought a solution to avoid the real danger of new elections," Denkov said Monday.

As per the agreement, the coalition will have a pro-European Union agenda, with obtaining membership in the Schengen passport-free area and the euro monetary union as top priorities along with fighting Russian influence in Bulgaria's security sector.

For the past two years, the people of Bulgaria were unable to give a decisive mandate due to which five parliamentary elections were held. In the latest one, GERB secured a narrow victory in the April 2 vote with 26.5 per cent of the vote or 69 seats.

The pro-European PP got the second biggest mandate with 24.5 per cent, and got 64 seats. The combined 133 seats will give the two parties a slim majority in the 240-seat parliament.

The PP has been reluctant to participate in the government as it did not want to form a coalition with the GERB or ministers appointed by Boyko Borissov.

<h2>For past two years, caretaker govts have been governing </h2>

Ever since a massive protest overthrew the decade-long corrupted regime of former prime minister Boyko Borisov—the head of GERB— in 2020, Bulgaria has been getting caretaker governments as none of the political parties managed to gain a significant majority

After Borisov, the pro-Western government of prime minister Kiril Petkov, who led a fragile coalition, was booted out after a no-confidence vote in parliament after only six months in power.

In February, President Rumen Radev dissolved the parliament and announced the April 2 vote.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Bulgaria would soon be governed by a “stable government” after the two biggest rival political parties agreed to rule through a coalition after hectic parlays, former EU commissioner for innovation Mariya Gabriel, who led the negotiations, said on Monday.

Bulgaria would soon be governed by a “stable government” after the two biggest rival political parties agreed to rule through a coalition after hectic parlays, former EU commissioner for innovation Mariya Gabriel, who led the negotiations, said on Monday. "We all made a lot of concessions," Gabriel told a news conference in the country's capital Sofia, reports AFP news agency. Gabriel's conservative GERB and the anti-graft We Continue the Change (PP) will propose a government of experts for a period of 18 months. GERB's nominee for prime minister Maryia Gabriel, and Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria's leader Nikolay Denkov have agreed to rotate as head of the government every nine months, Gabriel said. Initially, Gabriel, the 44-year-old ex-commissioner who resigned from her post in Brussels last week, will take on the mantle of the deputy prime minister, while 60-year-old researcher Nikolay Denkov of the PP will be the prime minister. Two years later, both will swap their positions. This is the first time that Bulgaria will be ruled under a rotating premiership. A coalition government was the only option for both parties after Gabriel failed to secure backing from two out of three smaller parties in the fragmented legislature for a cabinet. "We sought a solution to avoid the real danger of new elections," Denkov said Monday. As per the agreement, the coalition will have a pro-European Union agenda, with obtaining membership in the Schengen passport-free area and the euro monetary union as top priorities along with fighting Russian influence in Bulgaria's security sector. For the past two years, the people of Bulgaria were unable to give a decisive mandate due to which five parliamentary elections were held. In the latest one, GERB secured a narrow victory in the April 2 vote with 26.5 per cent of the vote or 69 seats. The pro-European PP got the second biggest mandate with 24.5 per cent, and got 64 seats. The combined 133 seats will give the two parties a slim majority in the 240-seat parliament. The PP has been reluctant to participate in the government as it did not want to form a coalition with the GERB or ministers appointed by Boyko Borissov. For past two years, caretaker govts have been governing Ever since a massive protest overthrew the decade-long corrupted regime of former prime minister Boyko Borisov—the head of GERB— in 2020, Bulgaria has been getting caretaker governments as none of the political parties managed to gain a significant majority After Borisov, the pro-Western government of prime minister Kiril Petkov, who led a fragile coalition, was booted out after a no-confidence vote in parliament after only six months in power. In February, President Rumen Radev dissolved the parliament and announced the April 2 vote. (With inputs from agencies)

After five hung verdicts in two years, Bulgaria finally gets a stable government

Bulgarians vote on Sunday in their third parliamentary election this year, with opinion polls pointing to another inconclusive result that could hamper efforts to tackle high energy prices, a jump in COVID-19 cases and widespread corruption.

Another failure to break a prolonged political impasse and forge a functioning cabinet in the European Union's poorest member state could also potentially slow plans for the country to adopt the euro by 2024.

An election for the largely ceremonial post of president will also be held on Sunday. Polls show incumbent Rumen Radev, 58, is poised to win re-election for a second five-year term after a likely run-off vote on November 21.

Bulgaria has been gripped by political uncertainty since April, when an election ended the decade-long rule of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his centre-right GERB party following massive anti-graft protests against him last year.

Policy differences and rivalry prevented his opponents, the so-called parties of change, from forging a ruling coalition after the April election and another ballot in July.

GERB has seized on the deadlock, rising energy costs and a rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the EU's least vaccinated country - helping it bolster support among party loyalists.

The latest polls give the party backing of 24 per cent, putting it on track to be the biggest in parliament.

But Borissov, 62, a burly former bodyguard of late Communist dictator Todor Zhivkov, is unlikely to find allies to forge a coalition, analysts say.

A new centrist party pledging "zero corruption", set up by two Harvard-educated former interim ministers, is seen as having the biggest chance of steering talks for a new administration with two other anti-graft factions and the Socialists.

Called "We Continue the Change", the new party appears tied with the Socialists for second position, both with support of about 15-16 per cent.

"For the time being, a government around the so-called parties of change, and the Socialists, looks more likely," said analyst Dobromir Zhivkov at the Market Links pollster.

Ivailo Mihailov, a 52-year-old engineer, said he hoped Sunday's election would yield a ruling coalition to address high-level graft in the country - ranked the most corrupt EU member state by Transparency International.

"The judicial system is the biggest problem or rather the lack of justice," he said. "Until we have a politician and leading businessman actually sentenced, nothing good will happen."

Thousands of Bulgarians joined street protests in mid-2020, accusing Borissov of cosying up with the chief prosecutor to benefit local oligarchs and businesses close to his GERB party.

Borissov denies any wrongdoing.

Polls open at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Bulgarians vote on Sunday in their third parliamentary election this year, with opinion polls pointing to another inconclusive result that could hamper efforts to tackle high energy prices, a jump in COVID-19 cases and widespread corruption.

Bulgarians vote on Sunday in their third parliamentary election this year, with opinion polls pointing to another inconclusive result that could hamper efforts to tackle high energy prices, a jump in COVID-19 cases and widespread corruption. Another failure to break a prolonged political impasse and forge a functioning cabinet in the European Union's poorest member state could also potentially slow plans for the country to adopt the euro by 2024. An election for the largely ceremonial post of president will also be held on Sunday. Polls show incumbent Rumen Radev, 58, is poised to win re-election for a second five-year term after a likely run-off vote on November 21. Bulgaria has been gripped by political uncertainty since April, when an election ended the decade-long rule of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his centre-right GERB party following massive anti-graft protests against him last year. Policy differences and rivalry prevented his opponents, the so-called parties of change, from forging a ruling coalition after the April election and another ballot in July. GERB has seized on the deadlock, rising energy costs and a rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the EU's least vaccinated country - helping it bolster support among party loyalists. The latest polls give the party backing of 24 per cent, putting it on track to be the biggest in parliament. But Borissov, 62, a burly former bodyguard of late Communist dictator Todor Zhivkov, is unlikely to find allies to forge a coalition, analysts say. A new centrist party pledging "zero corruption", set up by two Harvard-educated former interim ministers, is seen as having the biggest chance of steering talks for a new administration with two other anti-graft factions and the Socialists. Called "We Continue the Change", the new party appears tied with the Socialists for second position, both with support of about 15-16 per cent. "For the time being, a government around the so-called parties of change, and the Socialists, looks more likely," said analyst Dobromir Zhivkov at the Market Links pollster. Ivailo Mihailov, a 52-year-old engineer, said he hoped Sunday's election would yield a ruling coalition to address high-level graft in the country - ranked the most corrupt EU member state by Transparency International. "The judicial system is the biggest problem or rather the lack of justice," he said. "Until we have a politician and leading businessman actually sentenced, nothing good will happen." Thousands of Bulgarians joined street protests in mid-2020, accusing Borissov of cosying up with the chief prosecutor to benefit local oligarchs and businesses close to his GERB party. Borissov denies any wrongdoing. Polls open at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Bulgarians vote in third election this year in bid to break deadlock

Bulgaria will hold a snap parliamentary election on July 11, after a third and final attempt to form a government following April 4 polls that led to a fragmented parliament failed, President Rumen Radev said on Wednesday. 
 
Outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borissov`s centre-right GERB, which has dominated Bulgarian politics over the last decade, again emerged as the largest party after last month`s election but it lost seats amid widespread public anger over corruption in the European Union`s poorest member state. 
 
With Borissov short of a majority and unable to forge a new coalition, the president had asked a new anti-elite party led by TV host Slavi Trifonov to do so but it also failed, as did the third largest party in the new parliament, the Socialists. 
 
"Bulgaria needs a strong-willed political alternative, which the current parliament failed to produce," Radev said after the Socialist Party returned the mandate to form a government. 
 
The stalemate left Radev, a harsh critic of Borissov`s failure to crack down on graft, with no alternative but to appoint an interim technocrat administration and call another snap election within two months. 
 
The prolonged political uncertainty is unlikely to undermine Bulgaria`s prudent fiscal policies and its commitment to adopting the euro currency due to a broad political consensus in Sofia on these issues, ratings agency Fitch said on Tuesday. 
 
Fitch, which rates Bulgaria at investment BBB grade with a positive outlook, said that a protracted political deadlock could delay reforms, needed for the efficient tapping of the EU`s 750 billion euro coronavirus Recovery Fund. 
 
CARETAKER GOVERNMENT 
 
Radev linked the setting of the date for the new election with the appointment of a new central electoral commission that is expected to be finalised on May 11. 
 
"Next week I will dissolve the parliament and appoint an interim government. In this situation, the election is expected to be held on July 11," Radev said in a live broadcast. 
 
Radev said he plans to appoint experts as interim ministers, including members of the Socialist Party, which has already said it would back him in his own re-election bid in a presidential vote due in the autumn. 
 
The caretaker government will face a challenging agenda of managing a health and economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic within a tight budget it cannot amend and of ensuring a fair election. 
 
A recent opinion poll showed GERB remains the most popular party, but its key rival, Trifonov`s There Is Such a People, is a close second, raising the prospect of continued fragmentation in which the politicians will struggle to form a stable coalition government.

Bulgaria will hold a snap parliamentary election on July 11, after a third and final attempt to form a government following April 4 polls that led to a fragmented parliament failed, President Rumen Radev said on Wednesday.

Bulgaria will hold a snap parliamentary election on July 11, after a third and final attempt to form a government following April 4 polls that led to a fragmented parliament failed, President Rumen Radev said on Wednesday. Outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borissov`s centre-right GERB, which has dominated Bulgarian politics over the last decade, again emerged as the largest party after last month`s election but it lost seats amid widespread public anger over corruption in the European Union`s poorest member state. With Borissov short of a majority and unable to forge a new coalition, the president had asked a new anti-elite party led by TV host Slavi Trifonov to do so but it also failed, as did the third largest party in the new parliament, the Socialists. "Bulgaria needs a strong-willed political alternative, which the current parliament failed to produce," Radev said after the Socialist Party returned the mandate to form a government. The stalemate left Radev, a harsh critic of Borissov`s failure to crack down on graft, with no alternative but to appoint an interim technocrat administration and call another snap election within two months. The prolonged political uncertainty is unlikely to undermine Bulgaria`s prudent fiscal policies and its commitment to adopting the euro currency due to a broad political consensus in Sofia on these issues, ratings agency Fitch said on Tuesday. Fitch, which rates Bulgaria at investment BBB grade with a positive outlook, said that a protracted political deadlock could delay reforms, needed for the efficient tapping of the EU`s 750 billion euro coronavirus Recovery Fund. CARETAKER GOVERNMENT Radev linked the setting of the date for the new election with the appointment of a new central electoral commission that is expected to be finalised on May 11. "Next week I will dissolve the parliament and appoint an interim government. In this situation, the election is expected to be held on July 11," Radev said in a live broadcast. Radev said he plans to appoint experts as interim ministers, including members of the Socialist Party, which has already said it would back him in his own re-election bid in a presidential vote due in the autumn. The caretaker government will face a challenging agenda of managing a health and economic crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic within a tight budget it cannot amend and of ensuring a fair election. A recent opinion poll showed GERB remains the most popular party, but its key rival, Trifonov`s There Is Such a People, is a close second, raising the prospect of continued fragmentation in which the politicians will struggle to form a stable coalition government.

Bulgaria to hold fresh general election on July 11, says president