Double elections in Bulgaria: face-to-face race for parliament

According to forecasts, a close race is underway in Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections. At the same time, the head of the state Radu is clearly ahead in the presidential election. They still have to go to the runoff election.

A one-on-one race is underway in Bulgaria’s parliamentary election. In three forecasts made on Sunday evening after voting closed, the centre-right GERB party, led by longtime Prime Minister Boyko Boriso, was ahead with values ​​between 23.5 and 24.8 percent of the vote. A poll by the Gallup International Institute placed the new centrist party “We Continue to Change” in the first place. The Anti-Corruption Party, which was founded in September by only two former businessmen, received 25.7 percent of the vote.

This is the third parliamentary election in Bulgaria this year. After the last elections, it was not possible to form a coalition of parties with a majority capable of governing.

politically divided country

The prediction exposed deep political divisions in Bulgaria after a decade under the Borisov government. The country is grappling with a surge in coronavirus cases and high energy costs. In addition, many citizens are outraged by the widespread corruption in the country.

Analysts, ahead of the recent election, said Borisov might not find an ally for the coalition. Political differences and rivalry have so far prevented his political opponents from doing so.

presidential election

As well as in parliamentary elections, people eligible to vote in Bulgaria also voted on a new head of state. Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radu clearly won the first round of the presidential election with 49 percent of the vote. This stems from a preliminary forecast by polling organization Gallup International based on a post-poll voter poll.

In second place is Sofia University Rector Anastas Gerdshiko with 25 percent of the votes. It is supported by the former ruling bourgeois GERB of former Prime Minister Boiko Boriso. There should now be a runoff election between Radu and Gerdshiko next Sunday. This would be necessary as Radu could not consolidate more than half the votes. Two other polling institutions, Alpha Research and Trend, issued similar predictions for the outcome of the presidential election.

less interested in election

Previously, there was low turnout in the dual election. By noon, about 25.5 percent of the voters cast their votes. Shortly before polling closed at 7 pm (CET), the Election Commission announced that it was expecting a record low in participation.