President Rumen Radev handed over the second mandate for forming a government to the second largest parliamentary group in the 51st National Assembly - "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria". The folder was received by Nadezhda Yordanova. "I have been formally entrusted to carry out the procedure, by accepting the mandate and returning it unfulfilled," she explained. "Then formally I will hand it over to you," the head of state said in turn. "You are entering history as a candidate for Prime Minister," Radev addressed Nadezhda Yordanova. "Our decision is motivated by the fact that in the 51st National Assembly there is no possibility to form a reformist majority that can dismantle the model of the captured state." Hundreds of thousands of people on the streets said they want fair elections immediately," announced Yordanova and added, "Our goal is also to defend a fair and transparent electoral process, which can be achieved by 100% voting with machines," Yordanova said. She expressed concern about "attempts to manipulate the will of the Bulgarians." "They are trying to impose so-called scanning devices, but we will oppose it in order not to compromise the vote of Bulgarian voters. Let them express their will so that we can restore trust in the institutions. The vote must be accurately accounted for," she added. With this refusal, the possibilities for forming a government within the 51st parliament are significantly limited, said the head of state. He pointed out that he expects leaders of political parties not to tell him when to schedule elections, but to show political initiative and responsibility, to familiarize themselves with the decision of the Constitutional Court from March 13 last year, which according to the president "describes only part of the disgrace during the last parliamentary elections."   Radev called on all parties in parliament to ensure that trust in the electoral process is increased. Parties should look back at the history of the last five to six years when elections were the most honest, transparent and with the highest level of trust, with the fastest and most objective reporting of results, and take necessary legislative actions so that every Bulgarian can be sure that their vote will be counted correctly, said the head of state. In the delegation with the president were also the chairman of the PP Assen Vasilev and member of parliament Yordan Ivanov. On January 10, 2026, at a press conference in Stara Zagora, co-chairs of "Yes, Bulgaria" (part of the PP-DB) Ivaylo Mirchev and Bozhidar Bozhanov stated that they will return the second mandate unfulfilled. On January 12, Monday, outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov received the first mandate from the head of state on behalf of GERB-SDS and returned it immediately. In case of failure of the second mandate, according to the Constitution, the head of state must choose which parliamentary force to give the third mandate to. If this is also unsuccessful, the president appoints an interim government. After that, he must also determine a date for early elections, which must be held within two months.

President Radev hands over the second mandate to the PP-DB

President Radev called on all parties in parliament to ensure that trust in the electoral process is increased.