Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova will begin consultations with parliamentary parties on Tuesday regarding the appointment of an interim prime minister, the president said on Sunday, setting the stage for early elections later this year.
The consultations follow meetings with officials constitutionally eligible to lead a caretaker government. These include the speaker of the National Assembly; the governor or deputy governors of the Bulgarian National Bank; the chairman and vice chairpersons of the Audit Office; and the ombudsman and their deputy.
Yotova said five officials had agreed to take the post: Bulgarian National Bank Deputy Governor Andrey Gyurov; Audit Office Chairman Dimitar Glavchev and his deputies Margarita Nikolova and Silvia Kadreva; and Deputy Ombudsman Maria Filipova.
“The discussions with all candidates were serious and substantive, covering a broad range of topics—from the most urgent domestic issues in the coming months to the key task of restoring public trust in elections and ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process,” Yotova said.
She added that the consultations also addressed Bulgaria’s external policy and preparations for the euro adoption, stressing the need to manage potential price shocks affecting citizens.
While the presidential office will provide support, Yotova emphasized that the choice of caretaker prime minister ultimately rests with the National Assembly, which defines the constitutional procedure and rules for appointment. She also commented on pending electoral law changes, urging that texts ensure maximum transparency and integrity for upcoming elections.
The appointment of the interim prime minister will determine the date of early parliamentary elections, which must be held within two months of the decree.
Opinions among parliamentary parties differ over who should assume the role. GERB-SDS’s Rumen Hristov said the decision rests with the president, while Democratic Bulgaria’s Ivaylo Mirchev and Revival Party’s Petar Petrov expressed support for Gyurov, citing his independence from political influence. Analysts note that among the five willing officials, Gyurov is widely seen as the leading candidate, with the potential to secure broader backing from both opposition and ruling parties, increasing the likelihood of a caretaker government capable of overseeing credible elections. Other candidates, including Glavchev and his deputies, are considered less politically neutral, which could complicate parliamentary approval.
Bulgaria is preparing for early parliamentary elections under a complex political landscape, with no single party holding a clear majority in the National Assembly. Analysts say forming a stable government after the elections will likely require coalition negotiations. Key issues shaping the vote include economic challenges, euro adoption, and restoring public trust in the electoral process, which the caretaker government is expected to manage.
Opinion polls suggest Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s centre-right GERB-UDF bloc is currently leading, with a Gallup International Balkan survey in late 2025 showing 27–28% support if elections were held immediately. The Movement for Rights and Freedoms–New Beginning was shown at 17–18%, while blocs such as We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria registered support in the low to mid-teens. Analysts note that while GERB’s relative lead reflects its established party machinery, no single party is near a majority, making coalition negotiations essential to forming a government.