Former EU Commissioner Gabriel was put forward by her GERB-UDF alliance to lead a new government. Her party had agreed last Aprilâfollowing their victory in the interim electionsâwith Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov's Reformist Bloc to form a coalition for one and a half years.
Both were to govern nine months each, until the regular elections at the end of this year. Prime Minister Denkovâs government was to resign in early March (which he did two weeks ago), after which Gabriel would be tasked with forming a new government.
However, after lengthy and stalled negotiations with various factions, she said âit had failed and that it was all over,â and that Bulgaria was heading toward (yet another) early election. In case of an interim resignation, the Bulgarian parliament does not have to be dissolved. Political parties in Bulgaria have been at odds for years, with mutual accusations of corruption and cronyism.
Gabrielâs talks broke down over partisan disputes concerning judicial reforms, the leadership of security services, and the distribution of ministerial posts in her prospective cabinet.
In a televised address late Sunday, Denkov appealed to GERB-UDF to âkeep their word instead of plunging the country into chaos,â to sign the agreement and vote for a government.
If new elections are to be held, they might be combined with the European elections in June. If that is not possible, Bulgarians will have to vote for a new government for the sixth time in three years. Voter turnout has already been notably low in recent elections.