site.btaExplainer: What Happens When President Resigns

Under Article 97 of the Constitution, the president of the Republic may tender his resignation to the Constitutional Court prior to the expiry of his term of office. In such case, the vice president must assume the office of president for the remainder of the term of office.

Within a period at its discretion, the Constitutional Court must decide whether the president has resigned of their own accord. If this is the case, the president's credentials will be terminated, and the vice president will step in.

In case the vice president is unable to assume office as acting president, the presidential powers are executed by the chairperson of the National Assembly until early presidential elections that must be held within two months.

Since the enactment of the present Constitution in 1991, no Bulgarian president has ever resigned. Blaga Dimitrova tendered her resignation as President Zhelyu Zhelev's Vice President on June 30, 1993. By a decision dated July 6, 1993, the Constitutional Court released her from office with immediate effect.