Bulgaria: The motion of censure against the government was voted in favor

LAST UPDATE: 20.27

The Bulgarian government of Prime Minister Kirill Petkov collapsed in a vote of no confidence in parliament on Wednesday, leading to political unrest amid the war in Ukraine and rising inflation, Reuters reported.

Opposition lawmakers overthrew the government – which took power six months ago – by a vote of 123 to 116, after the ruling coalition lost its majority due to budget disputes and whether Bulgaria should “unlock”. the accession of Northern Macedonia to the EU.

Petkov, who has pledged to fight corruption, has taken a strong pro-European and pro-Eastern stance following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an unusual stance for a traditionally friendly country to Moscow. Analysts predict that a new government will pursue a more neutral policy towards Russia.

“This vote is just a small step on a very long road,” Petkov said after the vote. “What they do not understand is that this is not the way to win over the Bulgarian people.”

The country may now face its fourth general election in April 2021, jeopardizing millions of euros from EU recovery funds and plans to adopt the euro in 2024.

The stalemate could also hamper Bulgaria’s efforts to secure steady gas inflows, as Moscow cut off gas supplies to the country, which is almost entirely dependent on Russian gas, over Sofia’s refusal to pay in rubles.

Petkov has ruled out any coalition talks with opposition parties, but will seek “dissidents” from members of parliament to gather enough support for a new government and avoid early elections.

President Rumen Radev is due to call early elections within two months and appoint a caretaker government in the event that Petkov fails to win a majority for a new cabinet and two other parties in parliament are unable to form a government.