With 64 percent of the votes from Bulgaria’s snap election counted, the center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party is poised to win the most votes with 23.65 percent of the vote. However, forming a government will necessitate at least two coalition partners, indicating that the country’s political instability is unlikely to subside following its sixth election in three years.
The Movement for Rights and Freedom (MRF), predominantly representing Bulgaria’s sizable ethnic Turkish minority, secured 15.89 percent of the votes, while the pro-Western bloc We Continue the Change (PP) closely trailed with 15.08 percent. The ultranationalist Revival party garnered 14.33 percent of the votes.
GERB now faces the task of creating a coalition government capable of enacting essential reforms to further integrate the country into the European Union. The snap election was prompted by the collapse of a coalition involving GERB and the PP in March, lasting only nine months due to disputes over judiciary reforms and other matters.
Boyko Borissov, leader of GERB, expressed gratitude for the support received, acknowledging the assistance in a Facebook post following the release of exit polls. Borissov, who previously led the country for more than a decade before ceding power in 2021 amid widespread anti-corruption protests, aims to navigate the political instability that has resulted in fragile coalition governments consistently faltering.
The failure of previous governments to maintain coalitions and address critical issues, such as the economic and demographic crisis, has led to a pervasive sense of weariness and fatigue among the public. The voter turnout for Sunday’s election was the lowest since the end of communism, with only 30 percent of the population participating.
“We are weary of elections, and we want some stability and some prosperity for the country,” remarked Margarita Semerdzhieva, a 72-year-old pensioner, reflecting the sentiment of many citizens seeking stability and progress. Furthermore, Sunday’s election coincided with the selection of Bulgaria’s representatives for the European Parliament, where GERB also garnered the most support.
