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Predicted election winner Borissov: turnout at just over 35 percent.
Photo: VASSIL DONEV / EPA
According to initial forecasts, the middle-class opposition party GERB has become the strongest party in the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria.
The party, which was voted out in April 2021 after allegations of corruption, is said to have 24.6 percent of the votes, according to voter surveys after the vote was cast.
In second place, with 18.9 percent, was the newly founded and most recently governing liberal PP (»We continue the change«) by ex-Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.
Should the Gerb party actually become the strongest party, Borissov will find it difficult to find allies.
The three parties of the last governing coalition of PP, Socialists and the conservative-liberal-green alliance DB would come together according to the information at a good 37.2 percent.
Low turnout
Up to eight parties could move into parliament.
Among them is again the pro-Russian and nationalist Wasraschdane (rebirth).
According to the surveys, shortly before the polling stations closed, voter turnout was just over 35 percent.
In view of the predicted balance of power, the formation of a government became complicated.
Until the new government is in place, official business is to be managed by an interim cabinet.
The Bulgarians elected a new parliament on Sunday for the fourth time in 18 months.
Petkov was overthrown by a vote of no confidence in June after only seven months in office.
The election campaign in the poorest EU member state was dominated by the Ukraine war and uncertain gas supplies.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused deep divisions in the country of 6.5 million people.
While Borisov tried not to jeopardize relations with the EU, Russia and Turkey, Petkov took a clear pro-European stance during the election campaign.
