Opposition lawmakers overthrew the government – which took power six months ago – by a vote of 123-116, after the ruling coalition lost its majority over disagreements over budget spending and whether Bulgaria should unlock membership. of Northern Macedonia in the EU. They accused the government of failing to implement fiscal and economic policies to curb rising inflation in the European Union’s poorest Member State. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Bulgaria 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. “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.” Petkov, a 42-year-old Harvard graduate committed to fighting corruption, has taken a strong pro-European and pro-NATO stance since Russia invaded Ukraine, an unusual stance for a traditionally Moscow-friendly country. Petkov fired his defense minister in February for refusing to call Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a “war”, backing EU sanctions against Moscow and agreeing to repair Ukraine’s heavy military equipment while not sending weapons to Russia. The ensuing political stalemate could also hamper Bulgaria’s efforts to secure steady gas inflows following the cut in gas supplies to the country, which was almost entirely dependent on Russian gas, due to Sofia’s refusal to pay in rubles. Deputy Prime Minister Assen Vassilev expressed hope that parliament would continue to vote in favor of budget changes to increase state pensions and support for households as food and fuel prices rise. The former ITN coalition partner left the government after accusing Petkov of ignoring Bulgaria’s interests by pushing to lift his veto on Northern Macedonia’s EU accession talks under pressure from its EU and NATO allies. Petkov argued that any decision on the veto should be put to a vote in parliament. Earlier on Wednesday, in a sudden change, the main opposition GERB party said it would support lifting the veto, but political disputes prevented a debate on the issue. Lawmakers will meet again on Thursday to discuss whether Sofia should unlock Skopje’s EU accession. Petkov will retain Bulgaria’s veto at this week’s EU summit, unless parliament gives him a different mandate. Petkov has ruled out any coalition talks with opposition parties in the chamber, but will seek to distance himself from lawmakers to garner enough support for a new government and avoid early elections. President Rumen Radev is set to call elections within two months and appoint a caretaker government if Petkov fails to win a majority in a new cabinet and if two other parties in parliament are unable to form a government. The proposal against the ruling coalition was put forward by former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s GERB party, which is likely to benefit from new polls alongside pro-Russian parties such as the nationalist Revival in a society polarized by economic problems and war in Ukraine. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Reportage by Tsvetelia Tsolova, Written by Michael Kahn, Edited by Bernadette Baum, David Gregorio and Richard Poulin Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
