Bulgaria Holds Eighth Parliamentary Election in Five Years

Bulgaria holds its eighth parliamentary election in five years on Sunday, with polling from 7am to 1700 GMT, as the country of 6.5 million struggles with chronic political instability that has prevented any government from surviving more than a year since 2021. Former president and air force general Rumen Radev, who resigned from the ceremonial presidency in January, leads the newly formed centre-left Progressive Bulgaria party, which polls suggest could capture 35 percent of votes. Radev campaigned on anti-corruption pledges after backing mass protests in December that drew hundreds of thousands of mainly young people demanding an independent judiciary and brought down the conservative-led government. His platform also includes renewing ties with Russia and opposing military aid to Ukraine, positions that diverge from European Union policy.

Bulgaria's Eighth Parliamentary Election in Five Years

• ▪Bulgaria has a population of 6.5 million.
• ▪No Bulgarian government since 2021 managed to survive more than a year before being brought down by street protests or backroom deals in parliament.
• ▪Polling stations in Bulgaria opened at 7am local time (0400 GMT) for the parliamentary election.
• ▪Since 2021, Bulgaria has struggled with fragmented parliaments that produced weak governments.
• ▪Polling stations in Bulgaria were due to close at 1700 GMT for the parliamentary election.

Rumen Radev's Pro-Russian Political Platform

• ▪Rumen Radev leads the newly formed centre-left grouping Progressive Bulgaria.
• ▪Rumen Radev is a left-leaning, pro-Russian former president of Bulgaria.
• ▪Rumen Radev resigned from the mainly ceremonial presidency in January to launch a bid to lead the government as prime minister.
• ▪Opinion polls before the Bulgarian parliamentary election suggested Progressive Bulgaria could gain 35 percent of votes.

December Protests and Anti-Corruption Movement

• ▪The December protests in Bulgaria drew hundreds of thousands of mainly young people to the streets.
• ▪Protesters in the December demonstrations called for an independent judiciary to tackle widespread corruption in Bulgaria.
• ▪Rumen Radev backed anti-corruption protests late last year that brought down the conservative-backed government.
• ▪Mass protests in Bulgaria brought down the previous Conservative-led government in December.

Perspective of Rumen Radev and Progressive Bulgaria

• ▪Rumen Radev opposes Bulgaria's policy of providing military assistance to Ukraine.
• ▪Progressive Bulgaria's platform includes renewing diplomatic and economic ties with Russia.

Perspective of December protesters

• ▪Young Bulgarian protesters demanded structural reforms to create an independent judiciary free from political influence.
• ▪The December 2024 protesters in Bulgaria viewed the conservative-led government as unable or unwilling to address systemic corruption.

Perspective of European Union

• ▪Bulgaria's political instability since 2021 has complicated the country's ability to fulfill European Union commitments and obligations.
• ▪Rumen Radev's pro-Russian stance and opposition to Ukraine military aid diverges from mainstream European Union foreign policy.

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