Bulgaria's Union of Democratic Forces appoints Ilya Lazarov as leader as Rumen Hristov steps down

Rumen Hristov announced that he will not seek a third term as chairman of the Union of Democratic Forces (SDS) at the party's National Report‑Election Conference scheduled for Saturday. He said the time has come for new leadership and endorsed the party's secretary‑general and MEP Ilya Lazarov as the candidate for the chairmanship.

Hristov will remain active in the party, accepting the role of deputy chairman in the new governing body, where he will coordinate the party's relationship with the national parliament, where he serves as a member. His Facebook post emphasized the party's historic role and expressed gratitude to supporters, while pledging continued work for SDS.

Lazarov, currently the chief secretary and a Member of the European Parliament, is poised to take over the party's top post, marking a leadership transition after two consecutive terms under Hristov.