
Anti-government protesters calling for – among other things – snap elections in Bulgaria. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Cheep (CC BY-SA 4.0)
KEY FACTS
Freedom House Rating
Free
Government Type
Parliamentary Republic
Population
7 million |
UPCOMING ELECTIONS |
PAST ELECTIONS
Snap Parliamentary Elections: October 27, 2024 |
Bulgaria held snap elections on October 27, the seventh elections in three years. The center-right GERB, led by former prime minister Boyko Borisov, came in first but fell short of a majority. GERB has won five of the seven recent elections but has not been able to form a durable government since 2021 (Borisov was previously prime minister three times, for a total of nine years, between 2009 and 2021).
Political Context
Bulgaria has been in a long stretch of chaotic politics characterized by a series of early elections and caretaker governments, and a number of problems remain. Corruption and scandals have plagued the country since the 1990s. In that vein, the country is currently embroiled in anti-government protests, some violent, which have been going on since July.
Bulgaria’s Political Parties
Bulgaria’s two biggest parties are the governing center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) and the main opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). GERB is affiliated with the European People’s Party and the International Democrat Union, while BSP is affiliated with the Party of European Socialists and Socialist International.
GERB has won the last several sets of elections, including the 2017 parliamentary elections and the 2019 European Parliament and local elections. However, the president – elected in 2016 – is Rumen Radev, a former communist who ran as an independent with the support of the BSP. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov of GERB governs in coalition with the nationalist United Patriots (IMRO-BNM), which is affiliated with the European Conservatives and Reforms group. Other parties with seats in parliament include the liberal opposition party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and the nationalist Volya.
Geopolitical Context
Bulgaria is a member of NATO and the European Union (EU); however, it remains the poorest and most corrupt member of the EU. Meanwhile, Russia seeks to influence Bulgaria.
While GERB has consistently been in favor of Euro-Atlantic integration, and the BSP has recently been running on a pro-European platform, some political parties are explicitly pro-Kremlin. Radev, the president, is pro-Russia. Moreover, as Andrey Grashkin at the Foreign Policy Research Institute notes: “Moscow has strategically weaponized its energy holdings in Bulgaria through funding anti-fracking movements and disinformation campaigns, allowing Gazprom to maintain its monopoly on gas deliveries, and keeping Sofia vulnerable to future political exploitation.”
Curated News and Analysis
Ivan Bedrov, RFE/RL (October 28, 2024): Will Borisov Be Able To Form A Bulgarian Government?
Antoaneta Roussi, Politico (October 27, 2024): Listless Bulgarian voters turn back to Borissov as political stalemate continues
AFP (October 27, 2024): Bulgaria’s centre-right GERB party leads in snap elections, falls short of majority
Euronews (October 24, 2024): Bulgaria heads to the polls for the seventh time in three years
Updated October 31, 2024
Bulgaria Elections Overview
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Last Updated: October 31, 2024 by 21votes
Anti-government protesters calling for – among other things – snap elections in Bulgaria. Photo credit: Wikimedia/Cheep (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Freedom House Rating
Free
Government Type
Parliamentary Republic
Population
7 million
Snap Parliamentary Elections: October 27, 2024
Bulgaria held snap elections on October 27, the seventh elections in three years. The center-right GERB, led by former prime minister Boyko Borisov, came in first but fell short of a majority. GERB has won five of the seven recent elections but has not been able to form a durable government since 2021 (Borisov was previously prime minister three times, for a total of nine years, between 2009 and 2021).
Political Context
Bulgaria has been in a long stretch of chaotic politics characterized by a series of early elections and caretaker governments, and a number of problems remain. Corruption and scandals have plagued the country since the 1990s. In that vein, the country is currently embroiled in anti-government protests, some violent, which have been going on since July.
Bulgaria’s Political Parties
Bulgaria’s two biggest parties are the governing center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) and the main opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). GERB is affiliated with the European People’s Party and the International Democrat Union, while BSP is affiliated with the Party of European Socialists and Socialist International.
GERB has won the last several sets of elections, including the 2017 parliamentary elections and the 2019 European Parliament and local elections. However, the president – elected in 2016 – is Rumen Radev, a former communist who ran as an independent with the support of the BSP. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov of GERB governs in coalition with the nationalist United Patriots (IMRO-BNM), which is affiliated with the European Conservatives and Reforms group. Other parties with seats in parliament include the liberal opposition party Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and the nationalist Volya.
Geopolitical Context
Bulgaria is a member of NATO and the European Union (EU); however, it remains the poorest and most corrupt member of the EU. Meanwhile, Russia seeks to influence Bulgaria.
While GERB has consistently been in favor of Euro-Atlantic integration, and the BSP has recently been running on a pro-European platform, some political parties are explicitly pro-Kremlin. Radev, the president, is pro-Russia. Moreover, as Andrey Grashkin at the Foreign Policy Research Institute notes: “Moscow has strategically weaponized its energy holdings in Bulgaria through funding anti-fracking movements and disinformation campaigns, allowing Gazprom to maintain its monopoly on gas deliveries, and keeping Sofia vulnerable to future political exploitation.”
Curated News and Analysis
Ivan Bedrov, RFE/RL (October 28, 2024): Will Borisov Be Able To Form A Bulgarian Government?
Antoaneta Roussi, Politico (October 27, 2024): Listless Bulgarian voters turn back to Borissov as political stalemate continues
AFP (October 27, 2024): Bulgaria’s centre-right GERB party leads in snap elections, falls short of majority
Euronews (October 24, 2024): Bulgaria heads to the polls for the seventh time in three years
Updated October 31, 2024
Category: Overview Tags: Bulgaria