Politics of Bulgaria

Bulgaria's anti-establishment There is Such a People party (ITN) had no rallies, no posters, no canvassing, no candidates and no real programme to speak of. Now the whole country may be about to experience the same of its next leader.

The leader of There Is Such a People, Slavi Trifonov, announced today that his party will be taking on the responsibility of governing Bulgaria alone, as the 'protest' parties lack the necessary majority. Using the TV channel 7/8 as a platform, he thanked voters for their support.

The party "There is such a people" will not be a part of coalition with the other so-called "parties of protest" ("Democratic Bulgaria" and "Rise up! Thugs, out"), but will propose a government.

This was announced by the leader of "There is such a people" Slavi Trifonov in a statement on TV "Seven-Eight", broadcast on its facebook page.

Bulgarian former prime minister Boyko Borissov outside a polling station on Sunday. EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

GERB was leading with 23.9 per cent while There's Such a Nation was a close second with 23.7 per cent.

Bulgarian Finance Ministry is ready with a draft budget update, which will be submitted when a working parliament is formed. The budget update will not be based on increasing the deficit, but will be financed through more efficient tax collection and more effective spending, Minister Asen Vassilev  during the briefing of the Council of Ministers.

We are seeing a smooth transition from lockdown to economic revival. The economy is on the track to recovering and picking up speed. This is borne out by the unemployment rate which now stands at 5,65 percent.

The ministers of the third cabinet headed by Boyko Borisov handed over power to the caretaker government appointed by decree of President Rumen Radev. This happened at a ceremony in the Council of Ministers, at which journalists were not allowed.

Uncertainty is the only certainty in Bulgarian politics these days.

Since an inconclusive election on April 4, both the winner - long-time ruling party GERB - and the second-placed upstarts 'There's Such a Nation' have failed to cobble together a majority in parliament, meaning the baton will pass to the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev will give the mandate for the formation of the government to the Bulgarian socialists on Saturday (1 May), his office announced on Thursday. The two previous attempts to form a cabinet following the 4 April general elections failed.

President Rumen Radev will service the third exploratory mandate for the formation of a government to the prime minister designated by the third largest parliamentary group in the 45th National Assembly - BSP for Bulgaria. This will happen on May 5, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., at the President's Office.