Status: 07/11/2021 8:48 p.m.
For the second time within three months, the Bulgarians have elected a new parliament. According to initial forecasts, ex-Prime Minister Borissov’s bourgeois GERB is just ahead – despite allegations of corruption. But it does not have a majority.
In Bulgaria, the second parliamentary election within three months did not produce a clear winner. The conservative GERB party of long-time head of government Boyko Borissow received the most votes with 22.1 to 23.5 percent, according to by-election surveys of several institutes. The anti-establishment party ITN (“There is a people”) of the popular TV presenter and singer Salwi Trifonow follows very closely in second place with 21.5 to 22.3 percent.
“It may turn out that the vote abroad will be decisive for the election result,” said pollster Parvan Simeonov of Gallup International. Bulgarians are also allowed to vote in 68 countries – from New Zealand to Turkey and EU countries such as Germany and Austria to the USA. According to information from the state radio in Sofia, these results will be announced on Monday.
Head-to-head race in Bulgaria’s general election
Christian Limpert, ARD Vienna, daily news 8 p.m., July 11, 2021
Deep division in the poorest EU country
According to the forecasts, the socialists (ex-KP) would come to 13.5 to 15.1 percent. The conservative-liberal-green anti-corruption coalition Democratic Bulgaria DB could also make third place. Six political forces are likely to move into the parliament in Sofia.
The result highlights the deep divisions in the poorest country in the European Union. Despite allegations of corruption, Borisov’s party won the last vote in April, but failed to form a government.
Two small parties want to support ITN
This time, too, it is questionable among observers whether GERB can provide a cabinet and thus replace the transitional government. The rival ITN is believed to have greater chances because it can count on the support of two small parties that are committed to the fight against corruption.
Bulgaria could now face weeks of coalition talks or even another election. This is likely to slow down the country’s efforts to secure money from the billion-dollar EU reconstruction fund and pass the state budget for 2022.