According to forecasts released after the polls closed, Borisov’s Gerb party received about 25 percent of the vote. The newly founded party “We are continuing the change” (PP) led by Liberal Socialist Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, who was ousted in June, achieved around 19 percent. This roughly corresponds to the values of polls before the election. Should the Gerb party actually become the strongest party, Borissov will find it difficult to find allies.
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. Among them is again the pro-Russian and nationalist Wasraschdane (rebirth). Until the new government is in place, official business is to be managed by an interim cabinet.
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.
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