site.btaUPDATED Parliament to Debate First Motion of No Confidence in Zhelyazkov Cabinet

Bulgaria's Parliament will debate the first vote of no confidence in the Rosen Zhelyazkov Cabinet on Wednesday. The motion was made by Vazrazhdane over "the persistent failure of the Cabinet's foreign policy" on March 26 and is backed by the groups of Velichie and Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh).

The three groups have 54 MPs in the 240-seat Parliament. According to its rules of procedure, the vote on the motion can take place at least 24 hours after the end of the debate and is expected to be held on Thursday.

The Zhelyazkov cabinet was elected on January 16. It was formed on GERB-UDF's mandate, with the BSP-United Left and There Is Such a People as coalition partners. The parliamentary group of Democracy, Rights and Freedoms (DRF) - MRF, which backs the Cabinet, Tuesday said it would fulfill its commitment under the governance agreement until the convergence report for the eurozone is received.

The report is expected in June and if the assessment is favourable, Bulgaria will adopt the euro on January 1, 2026.

President Rumen Radev commented that the stability of the government depends on the architects of the majority - GERB leader Boyko Borissov and MRF-New Beginning leader Delyan Peevski. It depends on the dialogue between them because they are the ones who make appointments and decide the government's course. 

Where the parties stand on the motion:

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov: This government is harmful to Bulgaria and hinders its development. By sheer mathematics, the vote cannot pass.

Kostadinov talked of two recent problems in the Cabinet's foreign policy. The first is related to Bulgaria's "shameful reaction" to the death of Marin Marinov in Gaza, "who was killed by the Israeli army", he said. The second one is "the absolutely non-critical inclusion in the so-called coalition of the willing of Keir Starmer, the prime minister of a non-EU country".

GERB leader Boyko Borissov: The goal is to stop Bulgaria on its path to the eurozone, as the eurozone imposes discipline on countries. If this Cabinet does not survive, it will be at least another three to four years before a Parliament-elected government can be formed.

Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov (BSP-United Left): The demand for the cabinet's resignation is a storm in a teacup.

Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) will not support this vote of no confidence, as the euro area is one of their key priorities.

CC Co-leader Kiril Petkov: Continue the Change will not back Vazrazhdane's motion. CC will make its own motion of no confidence after Bulgaria receives a convergence report.

DB leader Atanas Atanassov: We will not support this motion of no confidence on foreign policy because it is clear where Vazrazhdane stands in terms of foreign affairs. CC-DB should work vigorously to have Bulgaria join the euro area, and this process will be facilitated by having a Parliament-elected government.