Bulgarian President Calls General Election For April 4

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has announced April 4 as the date for the country's next general election.

Radev, a critic of the outgoing government of conservative Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, had initially voiced a preference for the first possible date, March 28.

After a round of consultations with political parties, however, Radev said on January 14 that the date had been pushed back a week to allow more time to prepare coronavirus safety measures.

"I signed a decree today for the organization of parliamentary elections on April 4," Radev said in a televised address to the nation.

The European Union's poorest member state was rocked by months of anti-government street protests demanding the resignation of Borisov's cabinet.

Radev supported the anti-government protests, which he said on January 14 clearly showed that Bulgarians wanted a change, adding that the parliamentary vote this spring was "crucial."

Borisov, who resigned before the end of each of his previous two terms in office, has indicated he would remain in politics.*

A recent opinion poll by independent pollster Alpha Research indicated that the vote is unlikely to result in a strong majority government, but a hung parliament with six parties, which will have difficulties forming a working coalition.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

*CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Borisov has indicated that he will not seek a new four-year term as prime minister.