SOFIA: Bulgaria's outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has been hospitalised for severe hypertension a week after resigning his post following mass nationwide protests, hospital officials said Tuesday.

Borisov, 53, was admitted on Monday afternoon after declining a mandate offered by President Rosen Plevneliev to form a new government.

"Mr. Borisov will have to stay in hospital for a day or two for observation," said Lubomir Spasov, director of the Lozenetz government hospital.

"We are keeping his high blood pressure in check with drugs," he added, noting the prime minister's blood pressure stood at an extremely high 190/110 when he was admitted.

Bulgarian media found out about Borisov's hospitalisation after he failed to attend a national security council meeting Tuesday to discuss the security situation in the country following widespread protests.

Tens of thousands of people have taken to Bulgaria's streets in recent weeks to protest poor living standards, including high electricity bills, and corruption.

This led to Borisov announcing he would step down in a surprise move last Wednesday. Parliament accepted his resignation on Thursday.

With neither Borisov's ruling GERB party, nor any of the other parliamentary factions willing to form a new cabinet under the current parliament, the country is now headed for snap elections. These could take place in late April or mid-May, Plevneliev has announced.