Sofia, 14 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Bulgaria's parliamentary majority is facing fresh challenges after 16 lawmakers were stripped of their seats following a ruling by the Constitutional Court on Thursday.

The decision came after a recount of the October election results, which was triggered by a complaint from the populist Velichie Party.

The pro-Russian party had initially fallen just short of the 4% threshold required to enter parliament.

The recount saw Velichie, which had previously received 3.99% of the vote, now narrowly crossing the threshold and securing 10 seats in the legislature.

Bulgaria's ruling coalition now holds a fragile majority of just 121 out of 240 seats, down from 126, according to the election commission in Sofia.

The parliament now consists of nine parties, including Velichie.

The recount of votes was prompted by protests and complaints from Velichie and two other parties.

A review of election documents from 2,204 of 12,960 polling stations revealed numerous irregularities and some falsified results.

The election on October 27 became necessary as no government could be formed following an earlier poll on June 9. It was the seventh parliamentary election in just three and a half years for the EU member state.

In January, an unusual government coalition was formed uniting the pro-Western alliance Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria-Union of Democratic Forces (GERB-SDS), the pro-Russian Socialists and a populist party.

Support from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), a party representing Bulgaria's ethnic Turks, also helped secure a functioning majority in parliament.

Prime Minister Rosen Shelyakov's government is focused on introducing the euro as currency in 2026.

Photo: Screenshot