site.btaRegular Government, Four No Confidence Votes and New Parliamentary Group Define Parliament’s 2025 Session

The Bulgarian Parliament elected a regular government led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in 2025. Over the months leading up to the start of the summer recess, MPs also survived four unsuccessful votes of no confidence, passed legislation aligned with the Recovery Plan, and saw the emergence of a new parliamentary group.

The Parliament elected the Zhelyazkov cabinet in January with 125 votes in favour, 114 against and no abstentions. The new government was backed by GERB-UDF, BSP – United Left, Democracy for Rights and Freedoms (DRF), and There Is Such a People (TISP). Opposing votes came from Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB), Vazrazhdane, Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning, and Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh). The same vote confirmed the structure of the Council of Ministers.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and his ministers took their oath in front of the National Assembly.

During its seven months in office, the Zhelyazkov cabinet survived four votes of no confidence, with a fifth expected in September. The first vote, initiated by Vazrazhdane and backed by Velichie and MECh, focused on foreign policy. Only these three opposition parties supported it in the chamber.

A second no confidence motion accused the government of failing to combat corruption; this was initiated by MECh and again supported by Velichie and Vazrazhdane. The third vote, also unsuccessful, targeted finance policy and came at the initiative of Vazrazhdane, with the support of MECh and Velichie. Before the fourth vote on illegal landfills, Velichie announced their intention to proceed. The motion was again unsuccessful in Parliament but gained support from CC-DB, one leader vote from Yes, Bulgaria, and MPs from the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF).

Meanwhile, the opposition initiated discussions regarding a fifth vote of no confidence. After a party council meeting, Continue the Change (CC) Chair Assen Vassilev outlined three potential areas for collaboration with their partners in Democratic Bulgaria: health care, pricing and income policy, and regional and demographic development.

MECh called for a parliamentary vote on the Ministry of Interior’s performance, opening discussions with opposition parties. The motion is scheduled for September. CC-DB expressed general support but suggested widening the scope to include issues related to the “captured State.”

Key events in the National Assembly included Parliament Chair Nataliya Kiselova’s refusal to accept President Rumen Radev’s request for a national referendum on the euro’s adoption from January 1 the following year. On May 9, the President addressed the public and Parliament about submitting this proposal. The press office clarified that the proposal’s motives were inconsistent with Constitutional Court Decision No. 3 of 2024.

At the end of March, MPs passed the 2025 State budget at second reading following a nearly 22-hour session. The budget does not provide for tax increases and projects a deficit of 3% of GDP. Minister of Finance Temenuzhka Petkova commented that the budget was the only viable one given current circumstances.

Significant amendments were passed to the Energy Law, allowing households to remain on the regulated electricity market for an indefinite period. Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov clarified households would remain 100% State-protected and not face market liberalisation from July 1, as previously planned. He also noted the changes will enable 756 buildings scheduled for renovation to proceed and more than 1,500 households to install solar or photovoltaic panels on their roofs. Stankov insisted the government would not expose families to volatile market prices.

Further amendments passed on the last day before summer recess require electricity distributors to pay compensation to customers left without power for more than 48 hours during a 72-hour period, following mass power outages at Christmas 2024.

After nearly nine hours of debate, the National Assembly adopted a new Law on Personal Bankruptcy. The law allows persons unable to pay debts over 10 minimum wages for more than 12 months to declare personal bankruptcy.

MPs also amended the Road Traffic Act, increasing fines and controls as preventative measures.

On the last day before the summer recess, MPs overcame President Rumen Radev’s veto on provisions of the Health Insurance Act.

During the same period, the 51st Parliament filled expired regulator positions and debated whether to abolish the Anti-Corruption Commission. It also confirmed national ombudsman Velislava Delcheva.

In foreign policy, MPs adopted a resolution on North Macedonia’s EU accession progress, urging EU bodies to guarantee the rights, heritage and identity of Bulgarians and other communities in North Macedonia. Parliament also adopted a declaration proposed by CC-DB, condemning Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, expressing solidarity with Ukraine and supporting international efforts to restore its sovereignty.

Party and coalition shake-ups featured strongly in the session. Amid claims of pressure for public procurement and the arrest of Sofia’s deputy mayor Nikola Barbutov, CC lost Co-chair Kiril Petkov, who resigned from both leadership and Parliament posts, apologizing for a personnel mistake. Mayors of Sofia’s Mladost and Lyulin boroughs and two CC municipal councillors left the party.

Shortly after Democracy, Rights and Freedoms (DRF), chaired by Dzhevdet Chakarov, joined the governing majority, they withdrew, leaving the cabinet without a majority. DRF cited lack of progress on dismantling the [Movement for Rights and Freedoms Leader Delyan] Peevski model as reason for their initial support and later withdrawal.

A month after leaving the majority, the group around Ahmed Dogan lost its party headquarters. Regional officials enforced an order from Sofia Region governor Stefan Arsov and entered the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) building in Sofia.

Chakarov resigned as DRF Chair after a meeting with MRF Chair and MRF–New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan Peevski and left the parliamentary group, remaining as an independent MP. Hayri Sadakov was elected as group chair. DRF MPs categorically rejected any possibility of a merger with Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning.

With both groups using the same Bulgarian abbreviation and fighting for the brand, Parliament amended its rules to bar any parliamentary group from using an abbreviation registered for parliamentary elections by another group, even with minor modifications. After this June decision, DRF was officially renamed Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF), as per its official registration.

Three APS MPs, Mario Rangelov, Myumyun Myumyun and Vanya Vasileva, also left before the summer recess.

ARF announced intentions to establish a new political organization, with Ahmed Dogan specifying a three-month transition period to create a successor to the DRF.

The MECh group also faced turmoil. Near the end of the budget marathon, National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova announced MECh’s dissolution due to dropping below the minimum required MPs. MECh leader Radostin Vasilev stepped down as Deputy Speaker.

This prompted a strong reaction from Vasilev and his MPs, who threatened civil disobedience, blockage of Parliament’s work, and legal action against Kiselova.

Days later, Parliament restored the MECh group after two new MPs took the oath. The solution was proposed by both Kiselova and TISP.

In March, the number of parliamentary groups in the 51st Assembly rose from eight to nine after a Constitutional Court ruling confirmed last October’s election results and Velichie MPs took their seats.

Several party congresses during the period saw leadership changes and confirmations. The fourth National Conference of Democratic Bulgaria elected Bozhidar Bozhanov and Ivaylo Mirchev as co-chairs, following Hristo Ivanov’s resignation. Ivanov remained on the party’s national council.

The 51st Congress of BSP elected Atanas Zafirov as party leader, replacing Kornelia Ninova, who resigned last June.

TISP’s National Conference re-elected Slavi Trifonov as their leader.

Parliament will reconvene on September 3 for the autumn session.