Bulgarians they will go to the polls on April 2 for the fifth time in two years, after repeated attempts to form a government coalition failed. President Rumen Radev signed a corresponding decree today, as reported by his office in Sofia.

At the same time, the parliament was dissolved, and the chairman of the National Assembly, Vezdi Rashidov, announced that his term of office had expired. The duties of the government will be carried out by the provisional government.

Three attempts to form a government have failed since the last elections in October, when seven parties entered parliament. Efforts led by the centre-right GERB, which emerged as the first party, the liberal PP and finally the Socialists failed to secure a majority.

“It was a parliament with a limited choiceAndrey Gurov, head of the NP, who headed the last government, said today.

Also today, Radev confirmed that the composition of the Cabinet of Ministers, appointed in early August last year, will remain virtually unchanged – the only ministerial change took place in the Ministry of Culture.

Radev has repeatedly said that new elections will jeopardize Bulgaria’s bid for the Schengen area, which allows free travel across much of Europe, as well as the European Union’s economic recovery program.

Bulgaria’s goal of joining the eurozone in 2024 is also seen as under threat.

Source: APE-MPE-dpa