(ANSA-AFP) - SOFIA, FEB 18 - Bulgaria will hold a snap vote on April 19, its president announced on Wednesday, the eighth in five years following massive anti-corruption protests late last year. The protests swept a conservative-led government from office in mid-December, sparking fresh political uncertainty in the Balkan EU member, where a series of elections has returned fragmented parliaments. "I will sign the decree setting the date of the parliamentary elections for 19 April 2026," President Iliana Iotova said. Last week, Iotova chose senior central bank official Andrey Gyurov to form an interim government, reminding him that the country wanted "fair, transparent, well-prepared and well-run elections". Gyurov on Wednesday presented his caretaker cabinet, which is to be sworn-in by parliament. The conservative GERB party topped the most recent election in 2024, forming a coalition government, but protests broke out in late November over its 2026 draft budget (ANSA-AFP).