SOFIA, Bulgaria — The President of Bulgaria has tasked the leading center-right political party with the responsibility of forming a government, nearly three months after elections resulted in a parliament characterized by divisions.

In the parliamentary elections held on October 27, the GERB party emerged as the front-runner, securing 69 out of 240 seats; however, this number falls significantly short of the majority needed for unilateral governance.

Rosen Zhelyazkov, designated as Prime Minister, previously served as the speaker of parliament and has now put forth a list of proposed Cabinet members intended for a minority coalition government. He has requested that President Rumen Radev forward this list to parliament for their approval.

Interestingly, the party chose Zhelyazkov to lead the new administration instead of Boyko Borissov, who had previously directed three different governments from 2009 until 2021. His last administration was dissolved following widespread protests against corruption.

Zhelyazkov, a 56-year-old legal expert, stated that the new Cabinet’s focus will be on utilizing European Union resources more effectively and improving the operations and governance of state institutions. As a member of the EU and with aspirations to join the eurozone, Bulgaria requires a stable government to address rising inflation and ensure the steady influx of EU funds.

Acknowledging the differing ideologies within the coalition, Zhelyazkov remarked that his party has made the “necessary compromises” while forming an alliance with the pro-Russia Socialist Party and the populist faction, There Is Such a People.

Together, this proposed coalition holds 107 seats in the parliament. Additionally, the ethnic Turkish party, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, which has 19 representatives, has pledged support for the coalition during the anticipated vote scheduled for Thursday.