site.btaZhelyazkov Cabinet Starts Off with 32% Approval - Poll

Rosen Zhelyazkov’s Cabinet begins its term in office with relatively strong support of 32%, according to a poll by the Trend agency. Analysts note that similar approval levels were last recorded during the early months of Kiril Petkov’s government at the beginning of 2022.

The Trend poll focuses on attitudes toward key institutions, political parties, and current issues.

A significant percentage of respondents - 29% - remain undecided about their stance on the new government, while nearly 40% express a negative opinion. Over 90% of GERB supporters approve of Zhelyazkov's cabinet. Among the Socialist party sympathizers, approval stands at just over 80% and two-thirds of the supporters of There Is Such a People also back the new government.

Trend reports a slight increase in optimism following the formation of a government by a parliamentary majority. Optimists about Bulgaria’s future now constitute 48%, while pessimists make up 44%, and 10% remain undecided.

Economic concerns take center stage in 2025

At the start of 2025, socio-economic issues dominate public concerns. When asked about the cabinet's priorities, 44% of respondents cite tackling rising prices as the most pressing issue. Passing a state budget ranks second with 19%, while anti-corruption measures come in third at 16%. Additionally, 6% consider judicial reform a priority, and 4% emphasize Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro.

Economic anxiety is further reflected in another indicator: 83% of respondents express concern about the country’s financial stability, while only 11% are not worried.

Additionally, "Trend" records a rise in pessimism about Bulgaria’s economic future. The proportion of people expecting the economy to worsen within the next year has increased from 26% in December to 35% in January. Meanwhile, optimism about economic prospects has dropped to 20%.

Personal, party approval ratings

Public approval of the presidency has slightly increased, with 41% of respondents expressing a positive view, up from 36% at the end of last year.

Parliament continues to receive overwhelmingly negative ratings, despite a slight improvement over the past month. Negative opinions have dropped by 8 percentage points since December, now standing at 75%, while positive views have increased by 4 points to 15%.

When asked which party they would vote for if parliamentary elections were held today, the results were as follows:

• GERB leads with 26.6% support
• Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria follows closely with 13.2%
• Vazrazhdane holds 13%
• MRF-New Beginning is in fourth place with 10.3%
• Democracy, Rights, and Freedoms receives 7.1%.

Trend also notes a slight decline in support for BSP and TISP compared to the October 2024 election results, attributed to their participation in the government. The Socialist Party now holds 6.9% support, while TISP registers 5.9%. Meanwhile, MECh has seen a slight increase, reaching 5.6%.