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If efforts fail, the eighth election in four years could be on the cards.
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
The proposed government will be led by Rossen Zhelyazkov (GERB), with three deputy prime ministers from GERB, the BSP and There Is Such a People. [Borislav Troshev/Anadolu via Getty Images]
Languages: Deutsch
After four years of failing to form a viable government and repeated snap elections, Bulgaria is on the verge of having a cabinet, although last-minute surprises are always on the horizon.
GERB, the EPP-affiliated party of long-serving Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, came first in the October elections with 25% of the vote. On Wednesday, President Rumen Radev mandated GERB to propose a cabinet.
Radev delayed his move until GERB was able to form a governing coalition after initial efforts to include the reformist We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (Renew) failed.
Instead, GERB’s coalition partners will be the pro-Russian Bulgarian Socialist Party (S&D) and the populist There is such a people, led by former TV presenter Slavi Trifonov. With the three forces falling short of the 121 MPs needed for a majority, Ahmed Dogan’s party, which represents the ethnic Turkish minority, said it would support the coalition without being part of it.
Together, the four forces have a majority of 126 in the 240-seat parliament. This majority looks fragile, however, as the Constitutional Court is expected to review the election results and award parliamentary seats to Velichie, a radical pro-Russian party that missed out by just 30 votes. A recount of the votes reportedly would allow Velichie to enter the National Assembly.
The proposed government will be led by Rossen Zhelyazkov (GERB), with three deputy prime ministers from GERB, the BSP, and There is Such a People.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party and There is Such a People have reportedly agreed with GERB and Zhelyazkov to continue efforts to bring Bulgaria into the eurozone, although both parties have repeatedly warned against rapid adoption.
Bulgaria is very close to meeting the criteria to join the eurozone, but public opinion remains divided, fearing a rise in prices.
Although the relations between Borissov and Radev have been tense, Zhelyazkov extended a hand of truce to the president, saying that his government would seek “broad agreement and institutional partnership”, including with the head of state.
The coalition agreement also pledges continued support for Ukraine, albeit in general terms.
On energy, the future government promises to support the country’s coal-fired power plants and nuclear energy. This pledge is problematic because Bulgaria has committed to closing its coal-fired power plants by 2038, while the socialists and There is Such a People strongly oppose this.
The lack of political will in the Bulgarian parliament to accept the country’s commitments to achieve climate neutrality is blocking the European Commission’s allocation of €4.5 billion to Bulgaria under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
(Georgi Gotev | Euractiv.com)
Languages: Deutsch
Updated: 16-01-2025
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