Denkov Government

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Denkov Government
Cabinet of Bulgaria
2023–2024
Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov
Date formed6 June 2023 (2023-06-06)
Date dissolved9 April 2024 (2024-04-09)
People and organisations
PresidentRumen Radev
Prime MinisterNikolai Denkov, PP
Deputy Prime MinisterMariya Gabriel, GERB
No. of ministers20
Ministers removed0
Total no. of members20
Member parties
Status in legislatureMajority coalition
132 / 240 (55%)
Opposition parties
Opposition leaders
History
Election(s)2023
Legislature term(s)49th National Assembly
PredecessorSecond Donev Government
SuccessorGlavchev Government

The Denkov Government is the 102nd[1] cabinet of Bulgaria. It was approved by the parliament on 6 June 2023, and is a majority coalition of GERB and PP–DB.[2][3][4][5] Per the coalition agreement, it is set to be a rotation government, where PP–DB's Nikolai Denkov would start with the premiership, with GERB's Mariya Gabriel serving as deputy prime minister, and after nine months, the two would switch positions.[6][7] Per the agreement, Denkov and his cabinet resigned on 6 March 2024 in preparation for Gabriel to form her cabinet, although the Denkov government will stay on in a caretaker capacity until a new cabinet is formed.[8]

On 20 March 2024, the planned government rotation and signing of a renewed government manifest for the next nine months had failed.[9][10][11] A call for further negotiations to attempt rescuing the failed rotation agreement,[12] was left unmet during March 20-21;[13][14] but a last final negotiation round began on March 22.[15] The two parties GERB and Movement for Rights and Freedoms concluded on March 24, that the latest negotiation round now also had failed, leaving the President of Bulgaria no other choice than for snap elections to be called.[16][17]

The Bulgarian constitution declares that after a first failed attempt of government formation, the President must then ask the second-largest party in parliament (PP–DB) to try and form a government; and if this second attempt also fails he shall then give a final third attempt to any remaining party of his choosing.[18] If all three stages of negotiations fail, it is likely that elections would be held on 9 June 2024, coinciding with the European Parliament election on the same day.[19]

The Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, announced after having concluded a further second and third failed attempt to form a government among the elected parties, that he would sign a decree on 9 April 2024 approving Dimitar Glavchev as a new caretaker prime minister, along with a decree approving his proposed caretaker government,[20] and at the same time he would sign a decree setting the date for new early elections on 9 June 2024.[21]

Investiture

Investiture vote
Ballot → 6 June 2023
Yes
131 / 240
No
69 / 240
Abstentions
  • None
0 / 240
Absentees
40 / 240
Source: Sofia Globe

Cabinet

The cabinet consists of the following ministries:[22]

Portfolio Minister Took office Left office Party
Prime Minister6 June 20239 April 2024 PP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs		6 June 20239 April 2024 GERB
Minister of Finance6 June 20239 April 2024 PP
Minister of Internal Affairs
Kalin Stoyanov
6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Regional Development and Public Works
Andrey Tsekov
6 June 20239 April 2024 PP
Minister of Labour and Social Policy6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Defense6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Justice6 June 20239 April 2024 Yes, Bulgaria!
Minister of Education and Science
Galin Tsokov
6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Health
Hristo Hinkov
6 June 20239 April 2024 DSB
Minister of Culture
Krastyu Krastev
6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Environment and Waters6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Agriculture and Food
Kiril Marinov Vatev
6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Transport and Communications6 June 20239 April 2024 PP
Minister of Economy and Industry
Bogdan Bogdanov
6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Innovation and Growth
Milena Stoycheva
6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Energy
Rumen Radev
6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Electronic Governance
Alexander Yolovski
6 June 20239 April 2024 Independent
Minister of Tourism6 June 20239 April 2024 Green Movement
Minister of Youth and Sports
Dimitar Iliev
6 June 20239 April 2024 PP

In October 2023 three of the opposition parties in the 49th National Assembly of Bulgaria, "Vazrazhdane", the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and There Is Such a People (ITN), submitted a first motion of no confidence against the Denkov cabinet over its policy in the energy sector.[23] The government survived the no-confidence vote on 13 October.[24] The government was supported by 143 members of parliament from the political groups of GERB, PP–DB and DPS.[25]

Tenure

Transition of power (June 2023)

Upon the completion of the investiture vote in parliament, the Donev Caretaker Cabinet began the procedure for the transition of power to the newly appointed Denkov government.

On the 6th of June, Prime Minister-Elect Denkov met with outgoing Caretaker Prime Minister Donev, in an official ceremony. During the ceremony, Donev expressed hope that the regular cabinet would continue working on the development of the country and stated that he believed that the new government had the same "strategic priorities" as the outgoing caretaker one.[26] Denkov, on the other hand, expressed criticisms of the action of the Caretaker Cabinet, specifically accusing the Caretaker Cabinet of sabotaging the transfer of power by submitting the resignations of all ministerial staff, including vice-ministers.[27]

Vote of no confidence (October 2023)

Vote of No Confidence
Ballot → 13 October 2023
Yes
71 / 240
No
  • GERB-SDS (48)
  • DPS
(33)
143 / 240
Abstentions
  • None
0 / 240
Absentees
(1)
26 / 240
Source: DarikNews

Vote of no confidence (November 2023)

Vote of No Confidence
Ballot → 22 November 2023
Yes
71 / 240
No
(34)
155 / 240
Abstentions
  • None
0 / 240
Absentees
(2)
14 / 240
Source: National Assembly

Resignation

On the 5 March 2024, PM Denkov officially submitted the resignation of his cabinet to the National Assembly, saying the decision was in the spirit of the governing deal which had been reached between GERB and PP–DB earlier.[28][8]

Despite opposition from GERB, Denkov's resignation ended up being voted on the next day (6 March) due to the insistence of PP–DB.[29]

The motion for the resignation of Denkov's government ended up being supported by 216 MPs, which is the highest level of support for such a motion in Bulgarian history.[30] Denkov promised that the government would continue as an acting government until the completion of the government-formation process.[31]

Tenure as Acting Government (6 March - 9 April)

During the first three weeks of the tenure as acting government, the first round of negotiations took place for a new government to be formed.

On 20 March 2024, the planned government rotation and signing of a renewed government manifest for the next nine months had failed.[32][33][34] A call for further negotiations to attempt rescuing the failed rotation agreement,[35] was left unmet during March 20-21;[36][37] but a last final negotiation round began on March 22.[38] The two parties GERB and Movement for Rights and Freedoms concluded on March 24, that the latest negotiation round now also had failed, leaving the President of Bulgaria no other choice than for snap elections to be called.[39][40]

The Bulgarian constitution declares that after a first failed attempt of government formation, the President must then ask the second-largest party in parliament (PP–DB) to try and form a government; and if this second attempt also fails he shall then give a final third attempt to any remaining party of his choosing. If all three stages of negotiations fail, the President will then appoint a new caretaker government to replace the acting government, and the main task of the caretaker government will be to organize free and fair elections within two months.[41] New elections are expected most likely to be held on 9 June 2024, coinciding with the European Parliament election on the same day.[42]

PP–DB declared on March 26, that they would accept giving a second negotiation mandate a try, but it would be limited to a negotiation attempt to form a government together with GERB–SDS that fully respected their original rotation agreement of 2023. The proposed negotiation framework would be for GERB–SDS to sign the reform agreement negotiated with PP–DB, while GERB–SDS nominates a mutually acceptable next Prime Minister, and the current structure of the cabinet has to be preserved. If GERB–SDS by a written letter refused this PP–DB proposal, the second negotiation mandate would immediately be returned unfulfilled to the President.[43] A few hours later, GERB–SDS refused this proposal and called for early elections.[44]

On 27 March, PP–DB officially returned the second negotiation mandate incomplete to the President, requesting that the President schedule early legislative elections on the same day as the 2024 European Parliament election.[45][46] President Radev decided the following day to give the third mandate for an attempted government formation to ITN, the smallest party in the 49th National Assembly.[47] The third mandate was immediately returned incomplete by ITN, without wasting any time on fruitless negotiation attempts.[48]

Under Article 99 of the Constitution, when no agreement on formation of a government has been reached after all three attempted negotiation mandates have been tried, the President, in consultation with the parliamentary groups and on the proposal of the candidate for caretaker prime minister, appoints a caretaker government and schedules new early elections within two months from its inauguration.[49] On 29 March, the President appointed the Chairman of the National Audit Office, Dimitar Glavchev, as a candidate for caretaker prime minister;[50] and he was granted a one week deadline - at 6 April - to propose the composition of the caretaker government.[51]

On 5 April, Dimitar Glavchev presented his proposal for the caretaker government,[52] and after consultations being held the same day on whether it could be approved by the representatives of all political parties from the 49th National Assembly,[53] the President announced he would sign a decree on 9 April 2024 approving the caretaker PM and his caretaker government, and at the same time he would sign a decree setting the date for new parliamentary elections to 9 June 2024.[21] The acting government will hereby be replaced by the new caretaker government, as of 9 April 2024.

Approval rating

Denkov Government Approval Rating
Polling Firm Fieldwork date Approval Disapproval Unsure/no opinion Net
Gallup 27 Feb.–3 March 2024 15% 75% 10% −60
Alpha Research 27 Feb.–3 March 2024 21% 53% 26% −32
Trend 17–24 Jan. 2024 22% 70% 8% −48
Alpha Research 22–30 Nov. 2023 21% 46% 33% −25
MarketLinks 10–19 Nov. 2023 20% 60% 20% −40
Trend 11–18 Nov. 2023 20% 71% 9% −51
MarketLinks 26 Sept.–8 Oct. 2023 21% 53% 26% −32
Trend 2-8 Sept. 2023 22% 68% 10% −46
MarketLinks 11-18 Aug. 2023 20% 52% 25% −32
Trend 4–11 July 2023 22% 64% 14% −44
Gallup 29 Jun–9 July 2023 16.6% 69.7% 13.7% −53
CAM 3–7 July 2023 31.2% 43.2% N/A −10
MarketLinks 22 Jun–2 July 2023 22% 48% 30% −26
AlphaResearch 20–26 Jun 2023 20% 37% 43% −17
Trend 10–16 Jun 2023 32% 43% 25% −11

References

  1. ^ "The path to power: How we reached the Denkov-Gabriel government". nova.bg (in Bulgarian). 6 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Bulgaria's National Assembly elects Denkov government". The Sofia Globe. 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  3. ^ "The New Prime Minister of Bulgaria: Who is Nikolay Denkov?". Novinite. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  4. ^ "Bulgaria Finally has a Regular Government (CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS)". Novinite. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  5. ^ "Who's Who in Proposed Government Lineup". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  6. ^ "ГЕРБ и ПП-ДБ правят правителство, Денков и Габриел ще са премиери за по 9 месеца (видео)". Mediapool.bg (in Bulgarian). 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  7. ^ "ГЕРБ и новата коалиция тръгват заедно към втория мандат със заявка за кабинет с ротационен премиер". Dnevnik (in Bulgarian). 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  8. ^ a b "Bulgaria's PM resigns, as agreed, amid some coalition confusion". Reuters. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  9. ^ Denitsa Koseva (20 March 2024). "Bulgaria thrown into new political crisis, snap general election likely". BNE Intellinews. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Mariya Gabriel's Proposed Cabinet Sparks Controversy: WCC-DB Disagrees with Composition". Novinite. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  11. ^ Krassen Nikolov (20 March 2024). "Bulgarian cabinet rotation falls, snap election looms". Euractiv. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  12. ^ Desislava Toncheva (20 March 2024). "Outgoing PM Denkov: We Can Sit at the Negotiation Table and Finish Them in a Reasonable Way". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  13. ^ Yoanna Vodenova (21 March 2024). "Wrap-up: CC-DB Ask GERB to Offer Exit from Crisis "They Created", GERB Expects "Political Apology" from CC-DB". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  14. ^ Petya Petrova (22 March 2024). "Outgoing PM: "Mariya Gabriel Made Huge Political Mistake, We Should All Look for Way Out"". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  15. ^ Metodi Yordanov (22 March 2024). "UPDATED GERB-UDF's PM-designate: New Early Elections Must Be Prevented". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  16. ^ Lyubomir Gigov (24 March 2024). "Movement for Rights and Freedoms Will Decline Third Cabinet-Forming Mandate, Wants Early Elections Pronto". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  17. ^ Nikolay Zabov (24 March 2024). "UPDATED Gabriel Won't Run for PM, Clears Way for Early Elections". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  18. ^ "A Failed Government Mandate: What's Next". Bulgarian News Agency. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  19. ^ "Bulgarian FM Gabriel abandons attempt to form cabinet as negotiations break down". Television Poland (TVP). 24 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  20. ^ "UPDATED: PM-Designate Proposes Caretaker Cabinet". Bulgarian News Agency. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  21. ^ a b Yoanna Vodenova (5 April 2024). "UPDATED: European and Snap Parliamentary Elections in Bulgaria to be Held Simultaneously on June 9". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  22. ^ Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria. "Състав на правителството" [Composition of the Government]. gov.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  23. ^ https://bnr.bg/en/post/101887493/three-opposition-parties-submit-motion-of-no-confidence-in-denkov-cabinet
  24. ^ https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-government-survives-no-confidence-vote-denkov/32636285.html
  25. ^ https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/545114-denkov-cabinet-survives-no-confidence-vote
  26. ^ "Донев предаде властта на новия кабинет, Денков: Гърбина да ни е яка". gov.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Денков обвини Донев в саботаж на новия кабинет заради освобождаването на всички зам.-министри". gov.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  28. ^ "Премиерът Николай Денков подаде оставка". BTV (in Bulgarian).
  29. ^ "Ходът да се гласува оставката още в сряда: ускорени преговори за кабинет с Румен Радев на шията". 24chasa (in Bulgarian).
  30. ^ "Парламентът прие оставката на Николай Денков и правителството с 216 гласа". 24chasa (in Bulgarian).
  31. ^ "Николай Денков: Правителството ще работи до избиране на ново". 24chasa (in Bulgarian).
  32. ^ Denitsa Koseva (20 March 2024). "Bulgaria thrown into new political crisis, snap general election likely". BNE Intellinews. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  33. ^ "Mariya Gabriel's Proposed Cabinet Sparks Controversy: WCC-DB Disagrees with Composition". Novinite. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  34. ^ Krassen Nikolov (20 March 2024). "Bulgarian cabinet rotation falls, snap election looms". Euractiv. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  35. ^ Desislava Toncheva (20 March 2024). "Outgoing PM Denkov: We Can Sit at the Negotiation Table and Finish Them in a Reasonable Way". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  36. ^ Yoanna Vodenova (21 March 2024). "Wrap-up: CC-DB Ask GERB to Offer Exit from Crisis "They Created", GERB Expects "Political Apology" from CC-DB". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  37. ^ Petya Petrova (22 March 2024). "Outgoing PM: "Mariya Gabriel Made Huge Political Mistake, We Should All Look for Way Out"". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  38. ^ Metodi Yordanov (22 March 2024). "UPDATED GERB-UDF's PM-designate: New Early Elections Must Be Prevented". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  39. ^ Lyubomir Gigov (24 March 2024). "Movement for Rights and Freedoms Will Decline Third Cabinet-Forming Mandate, Wants Early Elections Pronto". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  40. ^ Nikolay Zabov (24 March 2024). "UPDATED Gabriel Won't Run for PM, Clears Way for Early Elections". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  41. ^ "A Failed Government Mandate: What's Next". Bulgarian News Agency. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  42. ^ "Bulgarian FM Gabriel abandons attempt to form cabinet as negotiations break down". Television Poland (TVP). 24 March 2024. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  43. ^ Dimitrina Solakova (26 March 2024). "UPDATED CC-DB Proposes to GERB-UDF that Second Cabinet-forming Mandate Be National, Common". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  44. ^ "UPDATED: GERB Turns Down CC-DB Last Offer for Government". Bulgarian News Agency. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  45. ^ "Bulgaria's Political Crisis: WCC-DB Returned Second Mandate Unfulfilled - President To Convene The Parties In 10 Days". Novinite. 27 March 2024.
  46. ^ "CC-DB Declines Cabinet-forming Mandate, President Suggests 2-in-1 Elections for National and European Parliament Is Unrealistic Option". Bulgarian News Agency. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  47. ^ "Румен Радев дава третия мандат на Тошко Йорданов". News.bg. 28 March 2024.
  48. ^ "Bulgaria's populists reject mandate to form government, set stage for snap vote". Reuters. 28 March 2024.
  49. ^ "After All Three Government-Forming Mandates Fail, President Has to Find a Caretaker PM but that May Be an Uphill Task". Bulgarian News Agency. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  50. ^ "President Picks National Audit Office Head for Caretaker PM-Designate". Bulgarian News Agency. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  51. ^ Yoana Vodenicharova (30 March 2024). "President Radev Assigns PM-designate Glavchev to Propose Caretaker Cabinet Lineup". Bulgarian News Agency. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  52. ^ "UPDATED: PM-Designate Proposes Caretaker Cabinet". Bulgarian News Agency. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  53. ^ "UPDATED: PM-Designate, President, Parliamentary Parties Hold Talks on Caretaker Cabinet". Bulgarian News Agency. 5 April 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
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