Bulgaria’s acting president, Iliana Yotova, is facing delays in appointing a caretaker prime minister, with three top officials declining the post amid political uncertainty, Dnevnik reported on January 28.

Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) Dimitar Radev and his deputies rejected the role on January 28, citing legal and ethical constraints. Radev said accepting the post could destabilise the BNB and compromise Bulgaria’s representation on the European Central Bank as the country transitions to the euro.

Other senior officials, including Speaker of Parliament Raya Nazaryan, have also refused the post. Consultations are expected to continue this week with the Ombudsman, the Court of Accounts and other constitutionally eligible candidates.

Under Bulgaria’s constitution, the president can only appoint a caretaker prime minister from a limited group of senior officials. Once appointed, the nominee has one week to propose a cabinet for presidential approval.

The timing of early parliamentary elections depends on the caretaker government’s appointment. While late March had been discussed, officials now expect voting after the Easter holidays.

Bulgaria has been without a regular government since Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov resigned on December 11 following protests over corruption and a disputed budget.

Yotova assumed the presidency after Rumen Radev formally resigned on January 23, becoming Bulgaria’s first head of state to step down before the end of his term.