Sofia (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Bulgarians headed to the polls for general elections, with pro-Russian and far-right parties expected to make gains amid the country’s political fluctuation.
Bulgarians are heading to the polls on 27 Oct 2024 in a seventh general election in little more than three years with little expectancy that a stable government will be created to stop the country’s descent into political instability. Voter exhaustion and disillusionment with politicians have created an environment where radical political representatives are successfully undermining public backing for the democratic process and raising the popularity of pro-Russian and far-right groups.
How have political shifts affected Bulgarian public trust?
The never-ending election cycle has had a serious effect on Bulgaria’s economy and its foreign policy. The government risks losing billions of euros in EU recovery funds due to a lack of reforms. Full integration into the open-border Schengen zone and joining the eurozone are likely to be delayed further.
According to the latest survey polls, Bulgarians’ lack of faith in elections will result in a record-low voter turnout. Gallup World Poll data reveals only 10% of Bulgarians entrust the integrity of their elections — the lowest ratio in the EU, where the average is 62%.
Some observers have marked the past few years as a period of “revolving-door governments” which has further fueled voters’ apathy. There was no obvious winner in the latest vote, held in June, and the seven parties elected to the fragmented legislature were unfit to put together a viable coalition. Observers suggest Sunday’s vote will deliver more of the same.
The Balkan country of 6.7 million has been seized by political instability since 2020 when nationwide protests flared against corrupt politicians that had permitted oligarchs to take control of state institutions. Bulgaria is one of the most impoverished and corrupt European Union member states with an unreformed judiciary widely blamed for serving the interests of politicians.
What drives the popularity of Bulgaria’s pro-Russia Vazrazhdane party?
Analysts consider the main pro-Russia party Vazrazhdane, as the second-largest group in parliament. The far-right, ultra-nationalist and populist party insists that Bulgaria lift sanctions against Russia, stop supporting Ukraine and hold a referendum on its membership in NATO.
