At first, it looked as if the anti-corruption alliance gathered around former Prime Minister Petkov could win the elections in Bulgaria. However, according to the latest results, the center-right alliance of Bojko Borisov is in the lead.
After the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria held on Sunday (April 2), the centre-right alliance of former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov is in the lead. His alliance won about 26 percent of the vote in these elections – the fifth in the last two years. The liberal-conservative bloc is the least behind, with around 25 percent of the votes.
United in support of Ukraine
The GERB-SDS alliance already governed the country, which is a member of the EU and NATO, until 2021 – when Bojko Borisov’s third term as Prime Minister expired. His camp, together with the liberal-conservative electoral block PP-DB, is united in the stance of supporting Ukraine in the war against Russia. Both are advocates of supplying weapons to the attacked country.
At the end of 2022, the Bulgarian parliament approved the first package of military aid to Kyiv. But the head of state, Rumen Radev, has stated that Bulgaria will not supply weapons to Ukraine as long as the transitional government he appointed is in power.
Borisov called on the pro-Western parties to unconditionally form a regular government after these elections.
Problems with corruption and pro-Russian parties in parliament
Until June 2022, the parties PP and DB were included in the four-party government with Prime Minister Kiril Petkov (PP), which was ousted by a vote of no confidence. The GERB-SDS alliance lost power in 2021 after accusations of corruption and mass protests. Corruption is a widespread problem in the country of 6.5 million people. In addition, when it comes to economic performance per capita, Bulgaria is the poorest EU member state.
According to preliminary results, at least five parties are likely to enter the parliament – including the pro-Russian and nationalist Preporod party, as well as the pro-Russian socialists from the ranks of Bulgarian Progress, who are in the government until 2022. The official final results of the elections in Bulgaria should be known by Thursday at the latest.
Source: DW
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