Bulgaria heads to early elections for the eighth time in five years
Bulgaria is heading to early elections for the eighth time in the past five years, following the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s GERB–SDS-backed coalition government amid mass protests over corruption allegations and proposed tax increases.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced the decision after all major political parties refused the mandate to form a new government, leaving the country without a viable parliamentary majority.
Failed Coalition Talks Deepen Political Deadlock
President Radev offered a final opportunity to the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) to form a government, but the party declined the mandate. MRF thus became the third party within a week to reject the task, following GERB–SDS and the reformist PP–DB alliance.
Despite its centrist-liberal orientation, the MRF stated that it could not support the formation of a stable government under current political conditions.
Bulgaria’s fragmented parliament has once again proven unable to produce a coalition capable of securing a durable majority.
Protests and Eurozone Transition Pressure
The government’s collapse came at a critical moment, just weeks before Bulgaria’s planned transition to the euro on January 1.
In December 2025, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Sofia and other major cities, protesting the draft budget and widespread corruption allegations.
More than 50,000 demonstrators gathered in the capital alone, while some estimates put nationwide participation at nearly 150,000 people.
Upon resigning, Prime Minister Zhelyazkov stated that the government had listened to public demands and emphasized the importance of encouraging civic engagement.
Interim Government and Election Timeline
President Radev is now expected to appoint a caretaker government and announce a date for early elections within the next two months.
Political analysts warn that Bulgaria urgently needs political stability in order to:
- Effectively channel EU funds into its aging infrastructure
- Restore investor confidence
- Tackle systemic corruption
Without a stable government, experts caution that Bulgaria risks prolonged institutional paralysis and economic uncertainty.
