Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev resigned on Monday, January 19, 2026, clearing the way for him to contest upcoming early parliamentary elections.
His term, initially set to expire in January 2027, ended prematurely amid persistent political gridlock and repeated government collapses.
In a televised address, Radev said he would submit his resignation to the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, January 20, the constitutional requirement for it to take effect.
He will continue to carry out presidential duties until the court formally accepts his resignation.
Vice-President Iliana Yotova is expected to take over as acting president, marking the first time a woman will hold Bulgaria’s highest office.
Radev’s departure underscores the country’s ongoing political instability.
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Bulgaria is preparing for its eighth parliamentary vote in four years after repeated failures by major parties to form a functioning government.
Analysts cite political fragmentation, mass protests over corruption, and economic discontent as drivers of public dissatisfaction.
There is growing speculation that Radev may establish his own political movement ahead of the snap elections, a development that could significantly reshape Bulgaria’s fractured political scene.