site.btaSocialist Leader Zarkov to Seek Confidence Vote, Vows to Resign if He Doesn't Get One

BSP leader Krum Zarkov will request a vote of confidence from the party’s National Council following the results of the early parliamentary elections held on April 19. Speaking at a news conference in the party headquarters Tuesday, he added he will resign immediately if he does not receive one.

BSP - United Left failed to clear the 4% barrier for entry in Parliament at the April 19, 2026 snap parliamentary elections. The party had a brief moment of triumph when early exit polls showed that it will be represented in the new legislature. The final results showed it has own only 3% of the votes.

He stated that if he is confirmed in his position, he will continue and initiate a process of renewal within the party.

"The BSP’s election result is very poor, leaving the party outside parliament, but it is also a logical outcome that must be accepted," Zarkov said, taking full responsibility for the result. He added that the party’s National Council would be convened on Saturday.

Over the past eight weeks, we tried to reverse the political logic, but all parties that took part in the previous government were punished, he noted, adding that BSP is paying its price. However, this is not the end of either the BSP or the left in Bulgaria, he said.

He announced the beginning of a process of opening up, renewal, and dialogue, stressing the need to seek public trust beyond the party’s own structures and to engage with people who share socialist values in their different forms.

Zarkov said BSP would transform and open itself to discussion, joint action, new people, and fresh ideas, as well as to all socially responsible citizens. Although the party is no longer in parliament, it will "go out in the streets", he said, adding that it would focus not only on campaigning but on inclusion, because the cause is shared and class-based.

"Because our cause is the cause of working people, we are starting this process on May 1," he said, calling on left-wing supporters to join a Labour Day march in Sofia in defence of workers’ rights and fair pay. "We are gathering not under BSP banners, but under the banners of our common cause and future," he added.

Asked about future funding, given that the party will lose state subsidies and much of its property is mortgaged, Zarkov said BSP had financed its campaign transparently through a loan and that its current financial situation was not dramatic, as part of the loan had already been used. He said the party expects its final eligible subsidy payment this month and will complete the campaign without significant debts, stressing that finances are in order and obligations have been met. The main challenge, he said, will be covering operating costs going forward, which will require spending cuts, but he added that a problem solvable with money is not truly a problem.

BSP run in the elections in the BSP - United Left coalition and coalitions are entitled to a state subsidy only if they win over 4% of the votes in parliamentary elections. BSP does not qualify this time. 

Commenting on a Facebook post by former social minister Borislav Gutsanov, who was a ranking BSP member in the previous BSP leadership, blaming Zarkov for the "collapse of BSP", Zarkov said the reaction was expected and that similar comments would likely be discussed at the party’s National Council.