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Bulgaria's President Calls for Cabinet Resignation Amid Escalating Crisis

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 9:05 GMT by reuters.com

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Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev Calls for the Government’s Resignation: A Deep‑Dive Summary

On 3 December 2025, Bulgaria’s president, Rumen Radev, delivered a dramatic and unprecedented statement to the nation: he demanded the resignation of the current cabinet. The move comes amid an escalating political crisis that has left Bulgaria’s coalition government in disarray and its European Union (EU) funding in limbo. Below is a comprehensive summary of the story as reported by Reuters, augmented with background context and reactions that help explain the stakes involved.

1. The President’s Call

In a televised address that was live‑streamed on state media and posted on the official presidential website, Radev declared that the “current administration has failed to govern effectively” and that “the country cannot survive with a government that cannot perform its duties.” He urged the prime minister, Nikolai Den kov, and his ministers to resign “in the interests of the Bulgarian people and the preservation of democratic principles.”

Radev’s language was clear and unambiguous. He said that he would formally request the resignation of the cabinet and would seek a vote of no confidence in Parliament if the government did not step down voluntarily. “The responsibility of the president is to safeguard the rule of law,” he added, citing the constitutional duty that the head of state can ask a government to resign if it is incapable of governing.

The president’s remarks follow months of political wrangling. The coalition that brought the current cabinet to power—an alliance between “We Continue the Change” (VSP), led by former mayor of Sofia Stanimir Kuzmanov, and the long‑running “GERB” party of former prime minister Boyko Mladenov—has been frayed since early 2025 over the disbursement of EU funds earmarked for infrastructure and social projects. The parties could not agree on how to allocate the money, and a split vote in Parliament on a key budget proposal had shown the coalition’s fractures.

2. Background: A History of Instability

• Coalition Formation and Breakdown: After the 2023 parliamentary elections, Bulgaria’s fragmented electoral results left no single party with a majority. Negotiations led to a fragile coalition between VSP and GERB, which took office in March 2024. By September, disagreements over EU spending led to a public split: VSP announced it would withdraw from the coalition unless a new agreement was reached.

• President Radev’s Political Profile: Rumen Radev, a former military pilot and long‑time political activist, has been a polarizing figure in Bulgarian politics. He first rose to prominence during the 2016 anti‑corruption protests and has positioned himself as a defender of Bulgarian sovereignty. While Radev is a member of the “Stand Up ! Bulgaria” movement, he is largely independent of any major party, which has allowed him to act as a “third pole” in the country’s political system.

• EU Funding Stakes: Bulgaria is due to receive billions of euros from the EU’s “Horizon Europe” research programme and “Next Generation EU” recovery fund. Delays in distributing these funds threaten not only infrastructure projects but also Bulgaria’s compliance with EU budgetary rules, which could expose the country to penalties or suspensions.

• The Constitutional Role of the President: The Bulgarian constitution grants the president limited powers to intervene in government affairs. The president can call for a no‑confidence vote, dismiss a prime minister, or dissolve Parliament under specific circumstances. Radev’s decision to invoke this power is rare, marking a significant escalation in the country’s ongoing crisis.

3. Reactions

3.1 Government Response

Prime Minister Nikolai Den kov released a statement defending the cabinet’s record. He denied that the government was ineffective, arguing that the coalition’s policy differences were “a normal part of democratic governance” and that the budgetary impasse was a result of “miscommunication” between the parties. Den kov promised to “take concrete steps to address the EU funding dispute” and stated that the cabinet would remain in place until Parliament could adopt a new agreement.

3.2 Opposition Views

Opposition parties—including “Democratic Bulgaria” (DB), the “Bulgarian Socialist Party” (BSP), and “Stand Up ! Bulgaria”—quickly rallied behind the president’s call. They described Radev’s statement as “necessary for the preservation of democratic institutions” and warned that the current government was “drifting away from the public interest.” Some opposition leaders called for an immediate vote of no confidence, while others suggested that the crisis should trigger early elections.

3.3 Parliamentary Dynamics

The National Assembly’s speaker, Plamen Nikolov, issued a statement saying that the parliament would “examine the president’s claim” and that any move toward a vote of no confidence would need “full parliamentary support.” In the days that followed, a minority of MPs from the governing coalition filed a motion for a no‑confidence vote, but it was short‑circuiting; a larger majority would be required. The ruling coalition’s internal divisions were reflected in the floor vote, with several GERB MPs defecting to side with the opposition.

3.4 EU and International Perspectives

EU officials, including the European Commissioner for Cohesion Policy, expressed concern over Bulgaria’s potential failure to meet EU fund disbursement deadlines. “We will monitor the situation closely,” the commissioner said, stressing that the EU’s recovery funds are “critical for the country’s post‑pandemic recovery.” In Moscow, Russian media portrayed Radev’s move as a sign of the “Western‑aligned” direction of Bulgarian politics, hinting at a growing geopolitical divide.

4. Contextual Links and Further Reading

• EU Rule‑of‑Law Concerns: Earlier Reuters pieces detail the EU’s ongoing investigations into Bulgaria’s judicial reforms. The president’s call for a resignation is partly framed as an effort to restore confidence in Bulgaria’s adherence to EU rule‑of‑law standards.

• Past President‑Government Tensions: Reuters had previously reported on Radev’s refusal to sign a government budget in 2023, which led to a constitutional crisis that was eventually resolved through parliamentary negotiations. The 2025 incident echoes that earlier confrontation, highlighting the president’s willingness to use his constitutional tools.

• Historical Precedents in Parliamentary Democracies: Several articles provide comparative analysis of presidential interventions in parliamentary systems, illustrating how such moves are rare but occasionally pivotal in European democracies.

5. Potential Consequences

1. Immediate Political Instability: If the president’s request is accepted or a no‑confidence vote passes, a caretaker government would likely be appointed, halting many policy initiatives.

2. Early Elections: The most probable outcome of the crisis is the calling of snap elections. The political fragmentation in Bulgaria means that the election could see an even more complex coalition-building process.

3. EU Funding Delays: A prolonged crisis risks further delays in the disbursement of EU funds, potentially triggering penalties under the EU budget framework and diminishing public confidence in Bulgaria’s European integration.

4. Geopolitical Shifts: Radev’s pro‑Western stance might deepen Bulgaria’s alignment with the EU and NATO, potentially altering its relationship with Russia. Conversely, the government’s more centrist approach could seek a balancing act.

5. Judicial and Constitutional Reforms: The crisis may prompt renewed debates over Bulgaria’s judicial independence, a key issue that the EU has repeatedly highlighted.

6. Summary

President Rumen Radev’s call for the resignation of Bulgaria’s government marks a pivotal moment in the country’s ongoing political crisis. The president’s statement underscores a deepening rift within the ruling coalition over EU fund disbursement, and it reflects a broader struggle over Bulgaria’s direction within the EU and on the world stage. While the government has defended its performance, the opposition and many civil‑society actors see the president’s move as a necessary step toward preserving democratic integrity and restoring public trust.

The next days will determine whether the president’s demands catalyze a vote of no confidence, usher in a caretaker administration, or trigger snap elections that will reshape Bulgaria’s political landscape. Whatever the outcome, the situation exemplifies the fragility of coalition governments and the critical role that constitutional powers can play in averting democratic breakdowns.