Bulgaria election: Conservatives lead polls, early results show


Soraya Ebrahimi
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The party of conservative former prime minister Boyko Borissov has again come first in Bulgaria's seventh general elections in less than four years, according to exit polls on Sunday.

Mr Borissov's GERB Party won between 25 and 27 per cent of the vote, followed by the reformist coalition PP-DB at about 15 per cent and the ultranationalist Vazrazhdane party at around 13 per cent, polls indicated.

Bulgarians voted on Sunday in their seventh snap election in four years and opinion polls suggest it is unlikely to break a political deadlock that has slowed economic reforms in the European Union's poorest member state.

Boyko Borissov, leader of the GERB Party and former prime minister, casts his ballot at a polling station during Bulgaria's parliamentary elections in Sofia on October 27, 2024. AFP
Boyko Borissov, leader of the GERB Party and former prime minister, casts his ballot at a polling station during Bulgaria's parliamentary elections in Sofia on October 27, 2024. AFP

Bulgaria has voted for short-lived governments since 2020, when anti-corruption protests helped to end a coalition led by the centre-right GERB.

“I don't think they will form a government” after the election, Marin Kushev, 69, said after casting his ballot in Sofia. “I don't believe them (politicians).”

Latest opinion polls suggest that, once again, no single party will win a parliamentary majority, setting the stage for another round of difficult and prolonged coalition talks.

“People want security and stability. We have sunny weather today, so people should go out and vote. We will see what will happen after the polls close,” Mr Borissov told reporters after casting his ballot.

“I have 40 years of working experience and I am getting 700 leva ($400) per month as a pensioner,” said Iordanka Metodieva, 73, a pensioner who voted in Sofia. “Life is hard.”

Kiril Petkov, Bulgaria's former prime minister and co-leader of a new centrist political party, PP-DB, casts his ballot at a polling station during the country's parliamentary elections in Sofia on October 27, 2024. AFP
Kiril Petkov, Bulgaria's former prime minister and co-leader of a new centrist political party, PP-DB, casts his ballot at a polling station during the country's parliamentary elections in Sofia on October 27, 2024. AFP

Bulgaria needs a period of stable, well-functioning government to accelerate the flow of EU funds into its infrastructure and nudge it towards adoption of the euro.

Plans to join the eurozone have already been pushed back twice because it missed inflation targets. Accession is currently scheduled for January 25, 2025.

“A fragmented parliament and long-standing political rivalries will complicate the formation of a functional and stable government,” political risk consultancy Teneo said in a note on Thursday.

“Protracted political chaos might translate into growing voter disappointment with mainstream political parties in favour of populist, nationalist and pro-Russian ones.”

Sunday's vote was triggered by the failure of Bulgaria's political parties to agree on a coalition government after an inconclusive June 9 election.

PP-DB leader Kiril Petkov invited people to vote on Sunday.

“I am sure of one thing: Bulgaria has to move forward, and if this is to happen, it is up to all Bulgarians,” he said.

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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

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What is Reform?

Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

Updated: October 27, 2024, 9:41 PM`