Bulgarian president appoints caretaker government and sets snap election date for April 19

Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova has appointed a caretaker government ahead of snap parliamentary elections in April

SOFIA, Bulgaria -- Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova on Wednesday appointed a caretaker government ahead of another round of parliamentary elections in April in a bid to stave off the country’s political instability and economic woes.

Yotova singled out the preparation of fair elections as the most important task of the new interim government. She also referred to the urgent need to allay people’s fears of rising prices of goods and services, following the country’s adoption of the single European currency in January.

The president also said that the interim Cabinet must be sworn in formally at a special ceremony in Parliament, and that she will issue a decree to hold snap parliamentary elections on April 19.

The resignation of the outgoing governing coalition led by the center-right GERB party came in the wake of nationwide protests at the end of 2025 that were sparked by public anger over corruption, injustice, and perceived oligarchic influence.

The collapse helped pave the way toward a new election — the eighth since April 2021 — which analysts expect could increase the number of seats held by nationalist and pro-Russia groups.