site.btaUPDATED President Radev to Launch Government Formation Consultations Later Monday

President Rumen Radev will begin consultations with representatives of the parliamentary groups in the 51st National Assembly on Monday morning, the presidential press secretariat reported. Radev will meet with GERB-UDF at 10 a.m. and with Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria at 11:30 a.m.

On December 11, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced that the government was resigning. The followoing day, the National Assembly unanimously accepted Zhelyazkov's resignation with 227 votes in favour.

The resignation came as Parliament was about to vote a no-confidence motion against the government submitted by CC-DB. In the wider picture, the country was swept by massive anti-government protests that were triggered by the cabinet's controversial budget plans. The events developed into discontent against the government over corruption, injustice and failure in many government sectors.

Statements of the political forces

GERB Chair Boyko Borissov said that no more budgets will be considered by those in power. He added: "After today, we will be a strong opposition and will strive to win the elections."

CC-DB declared that the resignation of the cabinet is a victory for Bulgaria, and the next step is fair and free elections.

The leader of Vazrazhdane, Kostadin Kostadinov called for the procedure for granting the first, second, and third mandates for forming a government to be expedited, so that elections can be organized in late winter or early spring.

MRF - New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski said that the entire responsibility for the situation at hand lies with CC-DB, which he labelled the Soros Coalition.

The BSP - United Left declared their support for the adoption of the 2026 budget and the protection of citizens' social rights.

There Is Such a People (TISP) Floor Leader Toshko Yordanov said that since there will be no government, none of the three political formations in power (GERB-UDF, BSP - United Left, TISP) will carry responsibility from now on.

Hayri Sadakov, Chair of the parliamentary group Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, said: "Let everyone take responsibility for the future, because the people in the streets were not there for just a few days. They will be watching us constantly."

MECh said that people expect elections that will produce a majority and leave Peevski and Borissov out of government, at the very least.

Velichie stated that the end of illegitimate rule is the beginning of the struggle for creation.