The conservative party of the Bulgarian ex-Prime Minister Boyko Borissow is in the lead after the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria. According to partial results, Borisov’s Gerb party received 23 to 25 percent of the votes. The newly founded party “We continue the change” (PP) of the liberal Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, who was ousted in June, receives 19 to 20 percent.
Petkow admitted his defeat in the evening. The voters gave Borisov a mandate to form a government, Petkov said. He ruled out a coalition with Gerb.
Difficult government formation
Before the polls closed, Borissov said he was open to talks with “all parties.” A potential coalition partner for the 63-year-old would be the party of the Turkish minority MDL, which according to the partial results has 15 percent. Two pro-Russian parties are also around 15 percent each. However, no clear coalition is emerging in the fragmented parliament.
According to the information, the three parties in the last governing coalition of the PP, Socialists and the conservative-liberal-green alliance DB together accounted for a good 37 percent. Up to eight parties could move into parliament. Until a new government is formed, official business is to be managed by an interim cabinet.
Fourth vote in a year and a half
The Bulgarians elected a new parliament on Sunday for the fourth time in 18 months. In June, Petkov’s government was overthrown by a vote of no confidence after just seven months in office.
Only about one in three eligible voters voted in the parliamentary elections
According to polling institute Gallup International Balkans, just before the polls closed, turnout was just over 35 percent.
The election campaign in the poorest EU member state was dominated by the Ukraine war and uncertain gas supplies. Bulgaria is historically and culturally closely linked to Moscow. The invasion of Ukraine has caused deep divisions in the country of 6.5 million people. While Borissov tries not to jeopardize relations with the EU, Russia and Turkey, Petkov took a clear pro-European stance during the election campaign.
kle/st/hf (dpa, afp)
