Bulgarian Government No-Confidence

Bulgaria’s coalition government survived a fifth no-confidence vote amidst claims it is involved with organized crime and voting abstentions from alliance members.

Bulgaria's coalition government survived a no-confidence vote on Friday, fueled by opposition claims it has close ties to organized crime. The parliamentary motion was rejected in the 240-seat National Assembly by a vote of 117-82, with 35 abstentions and six absentees.

This was the fifth time Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev's government has faced a no-confidence vote since assuming office in 2005. This last vote followed the arrest of two senior police officials who are accused of abuse of power and revealing state secrets to organized crime leaders. Prior to the vote, the government approved a plan drafted by Interior Minister Rumen Petkov to reform the police.

The government may have survived, but the vote revealed signs of a shaky three-member coalition including the Bulgarian Socialist Party and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms.. All 35 abstentions came from third coalition partner National Movement for Simeon II, which demanded the dismissal of the Interior Minister.

Following the vote, Prime Minister Stanishev announced Cabinet changes would occur to prevent the government from completing its term in office "limping along."

The European Union has repeatedly criticized the Bulgarian government for its failure to combat corruption and organized crime. The country could face EU sanctions if a mid-2008 European Commission report indicates negative progress.

The next national election should occur by sometime in 2009, when the people will determine if Stanishev’s government will remain in power.