Bulgarian parliament approves new government

SOFIA - Bulgarian National Assembly on Thursday approved a coalition government led by GERB-UDF's nominee Rosen Zhelyazkov, more than two months after the parliamentary elections.

The new government, which replaced the caretaker cabinet led by Dimitar Glavchev, was backed by 125 legislators in the 240-member parliament.

Zhelyazkov, a master of laws born in 1968, has served as Speaker of the National Assembly, Minister of Transport and Communications, and Secretary General of the Council of Ministers.

Presenting his cabinet at the plenary hall, Zhelyazkov said Bulgaria has been in a political crisis for some time and expressed gratitude to the coalition partners with whom his political force reached an agreement, setting aside ideological and political differences.

Zhelyazkov said his government's main priorities would be to improve people's quality of life, focusing on healthcare, education and labor market development, guaranteeing the rule of law and strengthening institutions.

Other priorities include ensuring sustainable public finances and effective management of public investments, as well as a sustained increase in investment in research and development.

Tomislav Donchev was named deputy prime minister and minister of innovation and growth, along with two other deputy prime ministers. Seventeen other ministers were also elected.

Bulgaria held a snap parliamentary election on Oct 27, 2024 following the failure to form a new government after the elections in June 2024.