Zhelyazkov Faces Second No-Confidence Vote

Bulgarian MPs debated a second no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov's Cabinet on Wednesday, with the vote scheduled for Thursday. The motion, filed by the Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh) and Velichie parties, cites corruption in several key ministries and the controversial contract with Turkish energy company Botas, CE Report quotes BTA

This follows a failed no-confidence attempt earlier this month focused on foreign policy.

MECh leader Radostin Vasilev accused the government of inaction against corruption in institutions such as the Interior Ministry and the security services. Velichie’s Ivelin Mihaylov suggested more MPs would vote against the Cabinet this time but acknowledged it would likely survive, pointing to support from Delyan Peevski’s MRF-New Beginning.

Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) announced it would abstain to prioritize Bulgaria’s eurozone accession. Opposition groups like Vazrazhdane and Democracy, Rights and Freedoms (DRF) voiced strong criticism, while government ministers dismissed the motion as a political tactic and defended ongoing anti-corruption efforts.

Deputy PM Atanas Zafirov said the motion only served to strengthen the coalition and demonstrate the opposition’s lack of alternatives.