On Thursday, Bulgaria's parliament approved a cabinet led by Rosen Zhelyazkov, a former parliament speaker, marking the end of lengthy negotiations for a coalition government. The centre-right GERB party emerged victorious in an October snap election but faced arduous discussions with other parties over two months to establish a government.
Zhelyazkov, nominated as PM-designate by the largest parliamentary GERB-SDS group, was tasked by President Rumen Radev on Wednesday to form the government. With 125 lawmakers voting in favor at the 240-seat legislature, Zhelyazkov's proposed cabinet was approved, paving the way for the new government to assume office.
Bulgaria, the EU's poorest member and known for corruption, has witnessed numerous changes in government since 2020 anti-graft protests ousted a GERB-led coalition. The nation requires political stability to boost the flow of EU funds into infrastructure and advance towards euro adoption.
Expressing the importance of a stable government, Zhelyazkov addressed the parliament before the vote, emphasizing the need for policies that uphold democratic values, economic competitiveness, security, and citizens' social rights. Previous delays in Bulgaria's eurozone membership aspirations due to inflation target misses were acknowledged by Zhelyazkov, who affirmed his government's commitment to facilitating the country's entry into the common currency area.