Bulgaria appoints Rosen Zhelyazkov as new PM after over two months of negotiations

After over two months of negotiations, Bulgarian lawmakers on Thursday appointed a new prime minister and cabinet.  

According to a Politico report, Rosen Zhelyazkov from the center-right GERB party was named Bulgaria’s prime minister.

The centre-right GERB party won a snap election in October, the seventh held in the Balkan state in four years, but has had to hold tough talks with other political parties for more than two months in order to form a government.

Zhelyazkov, proposed as PM-designate by the largest parliamentary GERB-SDS group, received a mandate from President Rumen Radev on Wednesday to form a government.

Some 125 lawmakers at the 240-seat legislature approved Zhelyazkov’s proposed cabinet in a vote on Thursday, opening the way for a new government to take office.

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In his parliamentary address, Zhelyazkov expressed gratitude to the wide coalition of leftist, populist, and centrist parties that supported him.

“I will start a little unconventionally at the beginning by expressing gratitude to the coalition partners with whom we managed to reach an agreement in a difficult period, putting aside our political and ideological differences, and to reach the signing of a coalition agreement,” Politico quoted Zhelyazkov as saying, citing Bulgaria’s state broadcaster.

Zhelyazkov said his government’s priorities will focus on upholding the rule of law and working towards Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone.

While the country fully joined the EU’s Schengen Area on January 1, it is not yet part of the EU’s currency union.

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Since 2020, Bulgaria has faced significant political instability, sparked by nationwide protests against oligarchic leaders dominating state institutions. Protests also followed the most recent election due to allegations of vote-buying, reported Politico.

“My congratulations to Rosen Zhelyazkov on your election as Prime Minister of Bulgaria,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social media.

“I look forward to working with you for a thriving Bulgaria in a strong and united Europe. I also appreciate your support to our brave neighbour Ukraine,” she added.

European Council President António Costa said, “Wishing you success and looking forward to working together on a strong pro-European agenda for the benefit of all Bulgarians.”

With inputs from agencies