Political uncertainty grips Bulgaria as PM resigns, coalition faces turbulence

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov’s resignation sparks political maneuvers, with the center-right GERB party taking leadership

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov’s resignation on Tuesday has set off a chain reaction of political maneuvers, as his departure clears the path for the center-right GERB party, his coalition partner, to assume leadership, in accordance with the agreement forged after last year’s elections. However, amidst this transition, uncertainties loom over the next steps for Bulgaria’s governance.

Signed last year between GERB and the pro-Western coalition “We Continue to Change,” the deal said that Maria Gabriel, the Foreign Minister, and a former European Commissioner, would become prime minister after Denkov’s nine-month term. The Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA) has only stated that Denkov’s resignation will be referred to parliament; it has not stated when Gabriel will be invested. Although Denkov’s resignation has set in motion this process, it is still unclear when Gabriel will take office.

There are now questions about the coalition’s durability. The Sofia Globe news website warns that differences among the partners may make it more difficult for the government to remain together when Denkov leaves. The parties are now negotiating on a number of issues, including GERB’s request that Gabriel continue to serve as foreign minister in addition to her role as prime minister. The initial nine months of the prime minister’s mandate would be extended to fifteen.

Reports state that the solutions to these problems should be revealed by Friday. Denkov described the position as one of keeping political integrity, respecting the voters, and keeping pledges made in the joint statement of June 6, 2023. He stressed the need to keep these obligations. At a critical turning point in the history of the country, the newly appointed administration was entrusted with implementing changes intended to facilitate Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone and the Schengen Area.

Source: Reuters