Bulgarian parl rejects GERB-UDF proposed cabinet

Zhelyazkov's nomination as prime minister was backed by 98 MPs, 138 voted against and two abstained, as seen in a live video broadcast by parliament. To take office, the proposed cabinet needed the support of more than half of the members present in the 240-seat National Assembly.

According to Bulgaria's constitution, president Rumen Radev should now hand an exploratory mandate to the second-largest political party in parliament, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), which holds 45 seats. MRF will then have a week to nominate a prime minister and cabinet.

In the June 9 snap general election, the country's sixth in three years, the GERB-UDF coalition won 24.7% of the vote. Six other political formations, including two pro-Russian parties, crossed the 4% threshold for entry into the unicameral legislature.

The fragmented parliament puts at risk the formation of a stable government, which the country needs to meet the Eurozone accession requirements and implement measures needed to unlock EU funding, analysts have said.