Bulgaria’s pro-western government collapses after just six months

Coalition led by Kiril Petkov loses majority over disputes about budget and North Macedonia

The Bulgarian government has collapsed in a no-confidence vote in parliament, throwing the European Union country into political turmoil amid the war in Ukraine and surging inflation.

Opposition lawmakers toppled the government of the prime minister, Kiril Petkov - which took power six months ago - by 123-116 in a vote after the ruling coalition lost its majority over disputes on budget spending and whether Bulgaria should unlock North Macedonia's EU accession.