Bulgaria's GERB Party Leads Parliamentary Elections

In Bulgaria's recent parliamentary elections, the center-right GERB party, led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, secured between 25 and 27 percent of the vote but fell short of a majority needed to stabilize the political landscape. The reformist coalition, We Continue the Change (PP-DB), followed with around 14-15 percent, while the pro-Russian ultra-nationalist Vazrazhdane party garnered approximately 13-14 percent, indicating rising support for far-right politics. This election marked the seventh in less than four years, reflecting ongoing political instability since 2020, when anti-corruption protests led to the ousting of Borissov's government. Voter turnout was low, with many citizens expressing fatigue over the political deadlock, which has seen six previous elections fail to form a stable government. Amid claims of electoral fraud and growing apathy, the GERB party faces challenges in forming a coalition as it seeks to govern without the support of the PP-DB, which rejects Borissov's leadership due to past corruption allegations. The fragmented parliament may hinder efforts to address Bulgaria's pressing issues, such as improving infrastructure and pursuing eurozone membership.