Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov resigned on Tuesday, clearing the way for his coalition partner, the center-right GERB party, to lead the government as agreed after last year’s election, but there has been some controversy and uncertainty about what happens next. the Bulgarian press reports, News.ro reports.

GERB and the pro-Western bloc led by the Continuam changvela formation represented by Denkov signed an agreement last year, according to which former European Commissioner Maria Gabriel, who was foreign minister in Denkov’s government, should take over his position as prime minister after nine seven months

However, Denkov’s resignation on Tuesday came as a surprise. According to the “rotational” agreement, the resignation was to take place between March 6 and 9.

“It is not about a political game, but about keeping one’s word, about showing continuity, political fair play and respect for citizens,” Denkov later said in a statement. “I am now keeping the commitments we made in the joint statement of June 6, 2023,” the retired prime minister said.

The resignation was sent to parliament, which rushed to a vote on Wednesday, but it was unclear when Gabriel would be sworn in.

The Sofia Globe news site even warned that despite the agreement, the coalition could fall apart due to disputes between the partners over how to proceed after Denkov’s resignation.

GERB is pushing for Gabriel to also keep his position as foreign minister while he is prime minister, and is proposing a rotation every 15 months instead of nine months. Both issues are still under negotiation with Denkov’s formation. According to the website, the two sides are expected to announce by Friday whether they have reached an agreement.

In the elections held in April last year, GERB took first place, receiving 69 seats in the 240-member parliament. The block led by “Continuam changuana” won 64 seats.

Parliament approved the resignation

Finally, on Wednesday, Bulgaria’s National Assembly voted to accept the resignation of Mykola Denkov’s government, which took office nine months ago. In the 240-member parliament, 216 votes were in favor, none were against, and none abstained.

Denkov’s government will work until the election of a new government or the failure of the constitutional process, the appointment of an interim government and the organization of new parliamentary elections.

Speaking before parliament at the start of the session on March 6, Denkov said he had tendered his resignation in line with commitments made in June 2023. He called for negotiations on a new government to begin immediately after the resignation letter was approved. After the speech in the parliament, Denkov went to another meeting of the government.

In parliament, the more than two-hour debate before the resignation vote was marked by predictable battles between pro-government groups and minority opposition parties over the balance of Denkov’s government.

Misunderstanding between partners

While in Bucharest at a meeting of the EPP, GERB leader Boyko Borisov said that negotiations between the coalition partners would take place over the weekend in order to achieve a smooth transition, and ruled out the possibility of early elections.

But he expressed disappointment at what he said was a hasty approach by government partners. “Denkov came, resigned and left,” he commented, reports Novinite.com.

Borisov criticized what he called a “brazen” move by the coalition partners, pointing to their decision to announce Denkov’s resignation without prior consultation.

Speaking about possible changes in the Cabinet of Ministers, Borisov hinted that significant changes are needed, including the replacement of some ministers. He emphasized his position on the matter, stating: “Without drastic changes, I will no longer support (the current approach).”

However, he suggested that he suspected the coalition partners wanted to trigger an early vote to combine it with the European elections.