Bulgarian parliament approves Premier Denkov's resignation

Nikolai Denkov submitted his resignation to parliament a day earlier, as part of plan agreed upon with his party's governing coalition partner following last year’s elections

By Ihvan Radoykov

SOFIA (AA) - Bulgaria’s parliament on Wednesday approved Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov's resignation, according to media reports.

Denkov's resignation was unanimously supported by members of the National Assembly, with 216 votes cast.

Denkov submitted his resignation to parliament on Tuesday, as part of a plan agreed upon with his party's governing coalition partner following last year’s elections.

In a statement, Denkov described his resignation as an "invitation to negotiations" with the coalition partner, the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party.

Denkov will continue to perform his duties until the next government is formed.

His nine-month term expired on March 6 as agreed between the GERB party and a bloc led by Denkov's We Continue to Change party.

Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel of the GERB party is expected to take over as prime minister in the new Cabinet.

Denkov was appointed prime minister following a vote of confidence in parliament on June 6, last year.

*Writing by Nur Asena Erturk in Ankara

Kaynak: