Bulgarians are casting ballots in a snap election many hope will break a prolonged political deadlock. The vote follows the resignation of a conservative-led government last December after nationwide anti-corruption protests.
The current crisis stretches back to 2021, when the conservative government of Boyko Borissov was toppled amid similar demonstrations. Since then, Bulgaria — the European Union’s poorest member — has struggled with political instability and repeated elections.
A newly formed center-left coalition centered on former president Rumen Radev, called Progressive Bulgaria, is widely favored to win. Polls put the grouping near 35%. Radev, an ex-air force general who stepped down from the presidency in January to contest the vote, campaigns against what he calls an ‘oligarchic governance model.’ He has advocated renewing ties with Russia and criticized shipments of military aid to Ukraine, though he has formally condemned Russia’s invasion and says he would not veto EU assistance to Kyiv. Radev has also opposed parts of the EU’s green-energy agenda, calling it naive ‘in a world without rules.’
Polling suggests Boyko Borissov’s pro-European GERB party, which led the most recent government, will finish second at roughly 20%, ahead of the liberal PP-DB alliance. Borissov, a three-time prime minister, highlights GERB’s record — including Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone this year — as evidence of achievement.
Polling stations opened at 07:00 local time and will close at 20:00. Authorities expect significantly higher turnout than the roughly 39% participation seen in the 2024 election. Preliminary results are expected on Monday.
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and NATO and has recently joined both the Schengen area and the eurozone.
Edited by: Saim Dušan Inayatullah