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Bulgaria Heads for Early Elections - New Government Fails to Form

Published January 12, 2026, 13:15
Bulgaria Heads for Early Elections - New Government Fails to Form

Bulgaria is heading for early elections after the country's largest parliamentary bloc, GERB-SDS, refused a request from the president to attempt to form a new government, increasing the likelihood of early elections in the EU's poorest member state. The coalition government of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, supported by GERB-SDS, resigned last month following weeks of mass protests against corruption and a new budget that included tax increases. Despite joining the Eurozone on January 1st, Bulgaria needs political stability to accelerate the absorption of European funds for its burdened infrastructure, boost foreign investment, and tackle chronic corruption.