In Bulgaria

Kiril Petkov, co-chairman of "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB), announced to bTV that the coalition would return their exploratory mandate empty-handed, hours before its scheduled handover at the presidency.

After so much drama, both the first and second mandates to form a cabinet in Bulgaria failed within a single day, escalating political tensions and uncertainty in the country's governance.

Today, the Bulgarian National Assembly has voted to end the first mandate aimed at forming a government with Prime Minister candidate Mariya Gabriel. The decision, reached after only one hour of debates where representatives from GERB and DPS abstained, signals the conclusion of the initial phase of government formation efforts.

In a tense parliamentary session, Atanas Atanasov, co-chairman of "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria," delivered a new proposal to GERB, urging the party to nominate a mutually acceptable candidate for prime minister and fulfill the second mandate as a general one.

Amidst Bulgaria's political landscape, President Rumen Radev adopts a stance of cautious anticipation as the nation navigates through complex parliamentary procedures. The President's office, in response to inquiries from BNR, clarifies that the National Assembly's deliberations on a decree proposal for Prime Minister election will precede any further executive action.

In a statement aired on BTV, Asen Vassilev, co-chairman of "We Continue the Change," declared that there is no possibility of forming a government with Mariya Gabriel as prime minister for the first mandate. Vassilev's remarks come amidst escalating tensions between political factions in Bulgaria, particularly regarding the formation of a new government.

President Rumen Radev has officially endorsed the recommendation for the 49th National Assembly to elect GERB's candidate as Prime Minister. However, the proposed cabinet put forward by Prime Minister-designate Mariya Gabriel has stirred significant discord within the political landscape.

Today, Mariya Gabriel, the nominee for Prime Minister, fulfilled her mandate by presenting President Rumen Radev with a completed folder at 4:15 p.m. today, outlining the draft composition of the Council of Ministers.

Amidst a backdrop of mounting tensions and failed negotiations, Bulgaria finds itself entrenched in a political stalemate with significant implications. As the clock strikes noon, President Rumen Radev will deliver the first exploratory mandate for cabinet formation to GERB.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) has demanded early elections and declared its unwillingness to participate in any new government formation.