Rosen Zhelyazkov

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, highlighted Bulgaria's progress toward adopting the euro as its primary currency, describing it as "one step away." Her remarks followed a meeting with Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Members of Parliament resumed their duties following the Christmas recess, with key meetings scheduled for the budget and finance, as well as legal committees. Among the critical items on the agenda is the legal committee's review of proposed changes to the Judiciary Act, an issue tied to ongoing governance negotiations.

A meeting between GERB and the "Democratic Bulgaria" (DB) teams marked the beginning of negotiations to form a new government. The discussions, held behind closed doors without media presence, concluded without any statements from the parties.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has initiated consultations with parliamentary parties as he considers his options for appointing a caretaker prime minister and scheduling early elections. The discussions come as the political climate heats up, with a focus on ensuring clarity and expediency in the formation of a new government.

The National Assembly is currently discussing and voting on the proposed cabinet by GERB, led by Prime Minister candidate Rosen Zhelyazkov. According to the Constitution, laws and other acts must be adopted with a majority of more than half of the present representatives. With 240 deputies registered, 121 "yes" votes are required to elect the prime minister proposed by GERB.

President Rumen Radev emphasized the urgency for political parties to form a government and take responsibility for governing the country during a visit to Athens. He reiterated that this is the primary objective following the elections.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has handed the first exploratory mandate to form a government to Rosen Zhelyazkov, the nominee for Prime Minister from the largest parliamentary group, GERB. In accepting the mandate, President Radev emphasized the significant responsibility given the fragmented parliament and low voter turnout, which could impact institutional legitimacy.

With the national and European Parliament elections drawing near, Bulgarian political parties are making significant strides in finalizing their candidate lists. Among the notable developments, GERB officially registered its list with Rosen Zhelyazkov at the helm.

In a poignant moment preceding the National Assembly's vote on his resignation, Rosen Zhelyazkov, the Speaker of the 49th National Assembly, delivered an emotional address to the deputies. Expressing gratitude and offering apologies, Zhelyazkov acknowledged the complexities of human nature and the responsibilities inherent in public office.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has initiated discussions with potential candidates for acting prime minister, marking a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape. With the resignation of Deputy Ombudsman Elena Cherneva Markova, the list of possibilities has narrowed to nine, prompting intense deliberations at the highest levels of government.