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Kiril Petkov, chairman of the new anti-corruption party PP, after casting his vote
Photo: Valentina Petrova / dpa
The general election in Bulgaria is forecast to be a neck-and-neck race between the new anti-corruption party PP and the bourgeois GERB party. As reported by the Reuters news agency, the anti-corruption party "We are continuing change" (PP) is surprisingly ahead with more than 26 percent of the vote, according to forecasts by various opinion research institutes. The bourgeois GERB of ex-Prime Minister Boiko Borissow ended up in second place with around 23.5 percent. The forecast is based on voter surveys after voting. According to the forecasts, the socialists who emerged from the former communists would come in third place with around 14 percent.
Up to seven parties are likely to overcome the four percent hurdle for entry into parliament.
Official interim results were not to be expected for the time being.
The third parliamentary election within a year was necessary because the people's assembly, which was only elected in July, was unable to achieve a majority capable of governing.
Should the political deadlock not be broken again and a functioning cabinet be formed, this could also delay the country's plans to introduce the euro until 2024.
With almost 50 percent, head of state Radew has to go to the runoff election
Sunday evening's forecasts underscore the deep political divisions in Bulgaria after a decade under Borisov's government. The country is battling a surge in coronavirus cases and high energy costs. In addition, many citizens are angry about the widespread corruption in the country. Analysts had said in the run-up to the latest election that Borisov would probably not find any allies for a coalition. Political differences and rivalries have so far prevented his political opponents from doing so. According to opinion pollers, a reform-oriented government could emerge this time around the anti-corruption party.
In the presidential election taking place at the same time, head of state Rumen Radew has, according to forecasts, clearly won the first round with a good 49 percent of the vote.
Nevertheless, he has to go to a runoff against the second-placed Anastas Gerdschikow (25 percent), because he could not unite more than half of the votes.
tfb / dpa / AFP / Reuters
