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.
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.”
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.
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The biog
Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza
Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby
Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer
Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.
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The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,100,000 (est)
Engine 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch
Power 630bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque 600Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 15.7L / 100km (est)
Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Milkman by Anna Burns
Ordinary People by Diana Evans
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Circe by Madeline Miller
