Politics Election winner in Bulgaria presents colorful coalition government
A new government is now in sight in Bulgaria after the seventh parliamentary election in three and a half years.
15.01.2025, 14:53
SDA
The pro-Western alliance Gerb-SDS presented a colorful three-party coalition two and a half months after its election victory. The government mandate from head of state Rumen Radev was given to the lawyer and former parliamentary leader Rossen Zhelyaskov (Gerb), who was nominated as prime minister.
Sheliaskov presented a minority government consisting of the center-right Gerb-SDS alliance, socialists and the populist ITN party. An agreement to this effect has already been signed, he said. Parliament is to vote on the new government this Thursday.
Support from the Turkish party necessary
In order for the minority cabinet to obtain the necessary majority in parliament, the support of the Turkish Democracy, Rights and Freedoms Party (DPS) has been obtained, according to Shekiaskov. This would give the government camp a majority of 126 of the 240 members of parliament.
Difficult government formation
A total of eight political forces are represented in the fragmented parliament. The center-right Gerb-SDS alliance of three-time head of government Boiko Borissov had interrupted coalition talks initiated in December with parts of its rival PP-DB, as the equally pro-Western bloc had rejected the nomination of Zhelyaskov as head of government.
Election winner Gerb-SDS has 69 MPs, the Socialists 20, ITN 18 and the Turkish Party 19. The new election on October 27 had become necessary as no government could be formed after the early parliamentary elections on June 9.
