In Bulgaria at 7 local time (6 in Italy) and in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, the seats for the political elections opened this morning, which see the conservative Gerb party of the outgoing premier Boyko Borissov favored, over the Bulgarian Socialist Party (Bsp), main opposition force.
Borissov has been in government for nearly ten years, and in recent months he has resisted a long and massive series of popular protests denouncing rampant corruption and what are considered mafia methods within the Sofia government.
According to the latest polls on the eve, neither of the two main parties will still obtain a solid majority, and to govern it will be necessary to make alliances.
From a survey by the Gallup International agency it emerged that Gerb in coalition with the Union of Democratic Forces (SDS) would collect 28.2% of the votes, while the Bsp - 20.8%.
The novelty of today's vote is the newly formed party 'There is a people like this' of the television showman Slavi Trifonov, which would come in third place with 12.9% of the votes.
Fourth in terms of consensus is given to the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS - the party of the Turkish minority) with 12.7%.
Gallup International also indicates three other political formations that would exceed the 4% threshold to enter the unicameral parliament which has 240 seats: 'Democratic Bulgaria' (right), indicated at 6.1% of the votes, 'Standing' by former ombudsman Maya Manolova (independent), at 5.2%, and the nationalist party Vmro indicated at 4.4%.
Voter turnout is expected to be around 40-50% of the approximately 6.7 million voters out of a population of just over 7 million inhabitants.
The nearly 12,000 polling stations will close at 8pm (7pm in Italy), with the option of 9pm (8pm) if there are still voters waiting.
Exit polls will be released soon after.