Parliament Votes Zhelyazkov Cabinet Out of Office

Lyubomir Gigov

Bulgarian MPs vote on a draft resolution accepting the resignation of the Rosen Zhelyazkov cabinet, Sofia, December 12, 2025 (BTA Photo/Blagoy Kirilov)

Sofia,

12.12.2025 11:07

(BTA)

Bulgaria's Parliament on Friday voted, 227-0 with no abstentions, to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov. The departure of his cabinet ensues automatically.

Zhelyazkov announced the resignation at an emergency news conference in the National Assembly on Thursday, just minutes before the MPs were to take a vote on a no-confidence motion against the cabinet entered by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, MECh and the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms. The motion was nevertheless put to the vote and failed by 106-0 with no abstentions. To succeed, such a move has to be approved by at least 121 members of the 240-seat legislature.

Since November 26, the country has been swept by massive anti-government protests that were triggered by the cabinet's controversial budget plans but escalated into anti-government discontent over corruption, injustice, and failure in many government sectors.

"The [ruling] coalition discussed the situation," Zhelyazkov said. "We have no doubt that in the upcoming vote of no confidence the government will receive support. Regardless of that, the resolution of the National Assembly matter when they reflect the will of the people," the PM pointed out. "Our desire is to be at the level that society expects. The fountain of power is the sovereign and the voice of the people," he said.

Zhelyazkov was elected Prime Minister on January 16, 2025 by 125 votes in favour, 114 against, and no abstentions.

Now that the resolution on his cabinet's departure has been formally adopted, the procedure established by the Constitution will have to be followed.

/LG/