Atanas Zafirov Resigns as BSP Chair

Tatiana Marinova

Atanas Zafirov announces his resignation as Chair of the Bulgarian Socialist Party at the party’s 51st Congress, Sofia, February 7, 2026 (BTA Photo/Vladimir Shokov)

Sofia,

07.02.2026 13:26

(BTA)

Atanas Zafirov has resigned as Chair of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), announcing his decision at the party’s 51st Congress on Saturday.

“Today I am taking a step back. I am giving up the position of first among equals that you entrusted to me, but this does not mean I am withdrawing from politics or distancing myself from responsibility,” Zafirov said. He stressed that he was submitting his resignation not because he rejects what has been achieved, but because he does not want to take part in a process that would deepen divisions within the party.

Zafirov said that he was proud of the results achieved during his one year at the helm of BSP and added that he would continue to defend these achievements, whether as party leader or as a rank-and-file member. According to him, the key issue facing BSP is not the leadership question, but the party’s future path.

“Today BSP is under pressure, under doubt and under question,” Zafirov said, warning against quick and drastic solutions that merely postpone internal crises without addressing their causes. He argued that repeated leadership changes over the years have failed to provide long-term stability, while the party’s electoral base has steadily shrunk amid profound global and domestic changes.

Zafirov acknowledged that BSP has remained focused primarily on social policy, but noted that a modern social state cannot exist without a clear economic vision and industrial policy. He said that the party has not been sufficiently convincing in this area and included himself in that criticism.

Referring to BSP’s participation in government, Zafirov said the decision was a conscious and difficult choice made in a context of deep institutional crisis, blocked governance and political instability. He argued that participation in power allowed BSP to defend social policies, incomes and basic stability, and prevented the formation of a hardline right-wing government.

Zafirov said that under his leadership the party had achieved stabilization, addressed severe financial problems, reduced internal tensions and re-entered the left political space as a unifying force. He noted that BSP had overcome the risk of financial collapse, ensured participation in elections, supported party structures and preserved the party newspaper Duma.

He emphasized that the current BSP leadership has no hidden dependencies or backstage arrangements. “Our only dependency has been on the interest of the state and the meaning of participating in power only when it truly serves the people and the cause of BSP,” he said.

Zafirov concluded that BSP is facing upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections and needs full mobilization, as well as a clear strategic vision. “The leadership question is not the most important one before BSP today. The most important question is the path,” he said, adding that he would not be an obstacle to finding that path but would remain active in helping the party define its future direction.

/NF/