We Continue the Change

GERB has issued invitations for meetings with the parties entering the 50th National Assembly to discuss societal issues and the potential support for a new government that will share responsibility for managing Bulgaria. GERB representatives Denitsa Sacheva, Raya Nazaryan, and Temenuzka Petkova will lead the negotiations.

The first session of Bulgaria's newly elected 50th National Assembly will convene at 9:00 a.m. on June 19, 2024, as announced by President Rumen Radev through a decree based on Article 75 of the Constitution. According to the president's press office, this session marks a significant political event following the recent parliamentary elections.

In the recent election, the Central Election Commission (CEC) reported over 58,000 invalid votes, with 2,211,648 valid votes counted. Paper ballots in the ballot box totaled just over 1,454,000, and machine votes were nearly 815,300. Additionally, 63,913 voters chose the option "I'm not supporting anyone."

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced the mandates for the parliamentary parties in the 50th National Assembly of Bulgaria. GERB will have the most deputies, with a total of 68. The second-largest parliamentary group will be the DPS with 47 deputies, followed by "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) with 39.

Kiril Petkov, co-chairman of "We Continue the Change" (WCC), declared in a Facebook video that regardless of the government Boyko Borissov proposes, WCC will remain a clear opposition. Petkov, alongside Nikolai Denkov, emphasized their stance against corruption and their commitment to European values.

The Bulgarian Central Electoral Commission (CEC) adopted a decision distributing the mandates from the European Parliament vote among the participating parties. GERB will be represented by five MEPs, while the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB), and "Revival" each send three deputies to the European Parliament.

General Atanas Atanasov, leader of the Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB), announced his intention to seek a vote of confidence from the party during its upcoming national assembly. Atanasov conveyed this message in a Facebook post, marking his first public statement following the recent elections.

On Sunday, all 31 Regional Election Commissions (RECs) must submit the voting protocols to the Central Election Commission (CEC) for re-verification. The CEC will then announce the final results of the vote for the Bulgarian representatives in the European Parliament on Wednesday, including percentages and allocated mandates.

The latest interim results of Bulgaria's National Assembly elections affirm the previously reported distribution of power, with nearly 94% of the protocols processed.

Leading the pack is the GERB coalition, securing first place with 24.63% of the vote, followed closely by the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) in second place with 15.89%.

Hristo Ivanov announced his resignation as the leader of "Yes, Bulgaria" at a briefing today. He stated, "We believe that the results (from the elections) for our coalition, 'We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria,' necessitate assuming leadership responsibility. Therefore, I have resigned, and my colleagues have supported this decision."