Bulgaria's parliament has finally broken through months of political deadlock by approving a new cabinet under the leadership of Rosen Zhelyazkov, a former parliament speaker.

The vote, which took place on Thursday, saw 125 lawmakers in the 240-seat legislature backing Zhelyazkov's proposed government.

Zhelyazkov was nominated as prime minister by the GERB-SDS parliamentary group, the largest after their victory in the October snap elections, which was Bulgaria's seventh in just four years. These elections marked another attempt to stabilize a government in the EU's poorest and one of its most corruption-riddled states.

After receiving his mandate from President Rumen Radev on Wednesday, Zhelyazkov addressed the parliament, emphasizing the urgent need for a stable government to advance policies that uphold the rule of law, boost economic competitiveness, ensure security, and safeguard social rights.

The formation of this government comes after Bulgaria has witnessed a series of short-lived administrations since the anti-corruption protests of 2020 led to the collapse of a previous GERB-led coalition. The Balkan state, also a NATO member, has struggled with political instability, which has hindered its ability to efficiently utilize EU funds for infrastructure and has delayed its integration into the eurozone.

Zhelyazkov committed to fast-tracking Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone, a goal that has been postponed twice due to unmet inflation targets. His administration aims to address this economic challenge head-on to secure Bulgaria's place in the single currency area.

This new government's formation is seen as a pivotal moment for Bulgaria, potentially ending a cycle of political uncertainty and paving the way for economic reforms and EU integration. (ILKHA)