Bulgaria on the Brink: Political Turmoil and the Push for Stability

Bulgaria's GERB-SDS coalition, the largest in parliament, declined to form a new government, paving the way for potential elections. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov resigned amid protests and debates over tax increases. Political instability threatens Bulgaria's economic goals despite its recent euro zone entry.

Bulgaria's center-right GERB-SDS, the largest parliamentary coalition, has declined President Rumen Radev's request to form a new government. The decision escalates the likelihood of another election, the eighth in four years, as efforts to build a stable majority falter.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, leading the GERB-SDS coalition, resigned following protests over corruption and tax issues. Despite returning the mandate to form a new government, the offer now passes to the reformist PP-DB, though they are also expected to decline.

This political instability comes as Bulgaria joins the euro zone, hampering its ability to gain EU funds, attract foreign investment, and combat corruption. The GERB-SDS coalition won the October 2024 election but struggled to maintain power, highlighting challenges in Bulgaria's political landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)