Bulgarian Election Results in Another Fragmented Parliament, GERB Seeks Coalition Partners: Bulgaria's snap election has resulted in a fragmented parliament, with the centre-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party leading in votes but requiring coalition partners to form a government.
As of counting 64 percent of the votes from Sunday's election, GERB secured a strong lead with 23.65 percent of the vote. Despite this, Bulgaria's political instability, which has persisted over the past three years, is unlikely to be resolved by the results of this sixth election.
The Movement for Rights and Freedom (MRF), representing Bulgaria's large ethnic Turkish minority, closely followed with 15.89 percent of the votes, while the pro-Western bloc We Continue the Change (PP) secured 15.08 percent. The ultranationalist Revival party garnered 14.33 percent.
GERB now faces the challenge of assembling a coalition government capable of implementing crucial reforms to strengthen the country's ties with the European Union. The snap election was called following the collapse in March of a coalition involving GERB and the PP, which lasted only nine months due to disputes over judicial reforms and other issues.
After exit polls were released, GERB leader Boyko Borissov expressed gratitude to supporters on his Facebook page, acknowledging the party's confidence and the support received. Borissov, who led the country for more than a decade before losing power in 2021 amid massive anticorruption protests, highlighted the ongoing political instability in Bulgaria, where fragile coalition governments have consistently failed.
In addition to the parliamentary election, Sunday's vote also included elections for Bulgaria's representatives in the European Parliament, where GERB emerged with the most support.
Bulgaria urgently needs a period of stable and effective governance to expedite the flow of EU funds into its aging infrastructure and push forward with adopting the euro and fully integrating into Europe's open-border Schengen Area.
Sunday's election, the sixth in three years, was prompted by the collapse in March of a coalition involving GERB and the PP.
"No one achieves success without acknowledging the help of others. We are confident and acknowledge this help with gratitude. Thank you, GERB! Thank you to all of you who supported us!" GERB leader and former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov wrote on his Facebook page after the exit polls were released.
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