Sofia (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Bulgaria’s centre-right GERB party succeeded in a parliamentary election, However, it will have to pursue a coalition partner to form a government.
Official results indicate that Bulgaria’s centre-right GERB party is poised to succeed in the country’s parliamentary elections but without enough backing to break a prolonged political stalemate.
The pro-Western GERB group took 26.08 per cent of the vote held on October 27, according to a Central Election Commission calculation of about 90 voting districts. The reformist PP (We Continue The Change) was in second with 14.76 per cent and the far-right, pro-Russia Revival Party had 13.7 per cent, according to the partial results publicised on October 28.
It has also come to light that Six other parties passed the 4 per cent threshold required for parliamentary representation, including one pro-Russia party that will enter parliament for the first time.
Will Bulgaria’s low voter turnout affect coalition talks?
The results, determined on low voter turnout, display that GERB will fall short of a parliamentary majority, paving the way for complex negotiations to form a coalition government. Bulgaria has been incapable of establishing a stable government since large-scale anti-corruption demonstrations brought down former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s cabinet in 2020. Since then, six elections have failed to break the deadlock.
GERB previously reported that Borisov would be its contender for prime minister if it secures at least 80 out of 240 seats in parliament. But PP has stated it would not support Borisov for the position and has demanded an independent PM with firm anti-corruption credentials.
How did pro-Russia parties fare in the election?
In addition to the Revival Party, two of the parties on the way to enter parliament are noticed as being pro-Russia. Greatness, which was in the prior parliament, took 4.08 per cent of the vote. Morality, Unity, Honor (MECH) – whose abbreviation in Bulgarian standards is “Sword” — took 4.65 per cent of the vote. MECH, which will enter parliament for the first time after a stunning showing, casts itself as “pro-Bulgarian, patriotic, and nationally responsible.”
