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Snap election likely in Bulgaria after reformist group rejects bid for government
The GERB-UDF coalition lacks a parliamentary majority amid political deadlock and protests, pushing Bulgaria toward its eighth election since 2021, officials said.
- Jan 12, Bulgaria's biggest parliamentary grouping, the centre-right GERB-SDS, declined the exploratory mandate from President Rumen Radev, and outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov immediately returned it, raising snap election chances.
- After the October 2024 vote, GERB-UDF only formed government after lengthy talks, highlighting coalition fragility as Rosen Zhelyazkov's cabinet resigned on December 11, 2025 following nationwide protests over the 2026 budget bill and alleged corruption.
- Under the constitution, President Rumen Radev must offer mandates to other parties and may dissolve the assembly and call a snap election if no majority forms, while CC-DB lawmakers have indicated they would return a mandate.
- The decision paves the way for another parliamentary election since 2021, prolonging instability that could delay EU funds absorption, infrastructure upgrades, deter foreign investment and hinder tackling state corruption.
- Rosen Zhelyazkov proposed March 29 as a possible election date to shorten campaigning and avoid low turnout; this comes just weeks after Bulgaria joined the euro zone on January 1, 2026.
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Associated Press News+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Thousands protest in Bulgaria to call for fair vote as the country seems headed to an early election
Thousands of people have braved freezing weather to protest in Bulgaria’s capital to call for a fair election as the Balkan country appears to be headed to its eighth vote in the last five years.
·United States
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The coalition government of Rosen Zhelyaskov resigned last month after weeks of protests against state corruption.
The largest parliamentary formation in Bulgaria, GERB-SDS, of the right-wing centre, rejected the president's proposal to try to form a new government for months.
·Romania
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Total News Sources18
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Center
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center
40% Center
L 30%
C 40%
R 30%
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