site.btaParliament Backs a Government That’s Already Gone

The Cabinet of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov survived a no-confidence vote over failures in the economic policy. It was the sixth no-confidence vote for this government but it was of no consequence as the Cabinet had resigned minutes earlier.

The no-confidence motion was submitted December 7 by Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria and was backed by the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF) and the Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh) party.

In order to succeed, a motion of no confidence must be supported by at least one-half plus one of all 240 MPs, i.e. 121 votes. The ruling majority (GERB-UDF, TISP and BSP-United Left) together with MRF-New Beginning, have 131 seats altogether.

The support for the Cabinet in Parliament came on the backdrop of a series of massive protests across the country that were triggered by a controversial budget and started with demands for the budget's withdrawal but escalated to demand the ouster of the government over corruption, lack of justice and failure in many public systems. 

Previous no-confidence votes against Zhelyazkov Cabinet

During its nearly twelve months in office, the Rosen Zhelyazkov Cabinet has survived five previous no-confidence votes: one initiated by Vazrazhdane for "failure in the foreign policy sector", a second one, submitted by MECh, for "failure in the fight against corruption", a third one, entered by Vazrazhdane over the "government's fiscal policy failure" and backed by Velichie and MECh, a fourth one, launched by Velichie and backed by MECh and Vazrazhdane, over a "failed policy in the environment and water sector", and a fifth one, proposed by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria and MECh and co-signed by MPs of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, over a "persistent failure to maintain public order and security, ensure justice, and tackle the erosion of the institutions of State".