Reuters —
Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday in the country’s eighth parliamentary election in five years, with the clear front-runner, pro-Russian former president Rumen Radev, promising to stamp out corruption and end a spiral of weak and short-lived governments.
Radev, a Eurosceptic former fighter pilot who opposes military aid to Ukraine’s war against Moscow, resigned as president in January to run in a general election after mass protests ousted the previous government in December.
A sophisticated social media campaign, deep pockets and promises of stability have boosted Mr. Radev’s support in the Balkan nation of about 6.5 million people. Voters are tired of repeated polls and a small number of veteran politicians widely seen as corrupt.
“Finally, we need a path to a democratic and modern European Bulgaria,” Radev said after voting in Sofia. “We need a very strong program in Congress to help the Bulgarian people get out of this very difficult situation as quickly as possible.”
Regarding relations with Russia, he said, “We look forward to developing substantive relations with Russia based on mutual respect and equal treatment.”
Bulgaria has developed rapidly since the fall of communism in 1989 and joined the European Union in 2007. Since joining the eurozone in January, life expectancy has risen sharply, unemployment is the lowest in the EU and the economy has stronger safeguards in place.
However, Bulgaria lags behind other EU countries on many indicators, and graft remains endemic, including in elections where vote buying is rampant.
The cost of living has become a particular issue since NATO member Bulgaria adopted the euro. The previous government collapsed amid protests over a new budget that proposed higher taxes and social security contributions.
This and the recent political crisis appear to be as important to voters as Mr. Radev’s calls for improved relations with Russia and the resumption of Russian oil and gas flows to Europe.
Bogomir Bardarski, 72, a metalworker who voted in the capital Sofia, said: “Politicians need to come together and make a decision. We can’t just keep fighting and bickering constantly and just go from election to election without doing anything.”
In Friday’s poll, Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria secured around 35% of the vote, an increase from a month ago. If approved, it would be one of the strongest results by a single party in years, although it still falls short of a parliamentary majority.
Voting ends at 8:00 PM local time (1:00 PM ET). Exit polls are expected to be held in time for the voting deadline, with provisional results likely to be announced on Sunday or late Monday.
Voter interest is growing. A poll by Sofia-based Alpha Research predicts turnout will be around 60%, almost double the 34% recorded in June 2024.
The figures highlight dissatisfaction with the long-term dominance of former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s GERB party (which comes in second place with about 18%) and the Rights and Freedoms Movement, whose Derian Peevsky is facing sanctions from the US and UK for corruption.
One potential coalition partner is the pro-European We Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria coalition (PP-DB), which also says reforms are needed.
Critics say Radev bears some responsibility for controversial decisions taken by the caretaker government he appointed during his term as president since 2016. That includes a 2023 gas contract between Turkish state gas company Botas and Bulgaria’s Bulgargaz, which led to losses and an investigation.
“The state is basically collapsing,” said Evgeny Shaw, 50, an IT expert who voted in Sofia.
