Opposition lawmakers ousted Prime Minister Kiril Petkov’s government – which came to power six months ago – by a 123-116 vote after the ruling coalition lost its majority over budget spending disputes and whether Bulgaria should unlock the accession of Northern Macedonia to the EU. Petkov, a 42-year-old Harvard graduate who has pledged to fight corruption, has taken a strong pro-NATO, pro-NATO stance since Russia invaded Ukraine, an unusual attitude for a traditionally friendly country toward 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 journey,” 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 is now likely to face its fourth general election since April 2021, putting millions of euros at risk from EU recovery funds and its plans to adopt the euro in 2024. Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7 p.m. BST The stalemate could also hamper Bulgaria’s efforts to ensure steady gas inflows following the cut in gas supplies to the country, which is almost entirely dependent on Russian gas, due to Sofia’s refusal to pay in rubles. Petkov has ruled out any coalition talks with opposition parties in the chamber, but will seek dissent from lawmakers in parliament to gather enough support for a new government and avoid early elections. President Rumen Radev is called to call early elections within two months and appoint a caretaker government if Petkov fails to secure a majority for a new cabinet and if two other parties in parliament cannot form a government.
