[2] According to Zafirov's personal recollections, he had been interested in politics around the age of 14, when he joined the youth movement of the Bulgarian Communist Party, DMKS, in 1985.

[7][8] Following the poor results of the June 2024 Bulgarian parliamentary election, BSP chair Korneliya Ninova announced her intention to resign.

[10] In media statements following his selection, Zafirov denied those rumours, stating that the BSP would not support a government including GERB or the DPS.

[14] Another key element of Zafirov's leadership program was enabling the consolidation of the Bulgarian left, in this goal he cited the example of the French New Popular Front.

[17] During the parties traditional rally at Buzludzha, Zafirov delivered a speech emphasizing the need for intra-party unity and the consolidation of leftist voters.

[18] On 10 August, Zafirov announced that the parties National Council had ratified the idea of contesting new parliamentary elections in a broad left-wing coalition.

[19] In media statements following the confirmation of the formation of a broad left-wing coalition, Zafirov made clear that former chairwoman Ninova would not be nominated as a candidate.

[24] On 9 September, the High Arbitration Court officially ruled that Zafirov, as acting Chairman, was the sole legal representative of the BSP.

[29] Speaking prior to the convocation of the new National Assembly, Zafirov confirmed that the BSP - United Left group would nominate their own candidate for the speakership position.

[30] While reiterating that BSP were willing to negotiate with all parties in parliament, he made clear that he upheld the previous congress decision not to govern with either GERB or DPS.