Bulgaria Votes Amid Political Turmoil and Corruption Concerns

Severity: Medium (Score: 41.0)

Sources: Qazinform, Theguardian, Lemonde.Fr

Summary

Bulgarians are voting in their eighth parliamentary election in five years, with former president Rumen Radev leading in polls. Radev, who resigned in January to run, is campaigning on anti-corruption and stability, garnering around 34% support. The election follows mass protests that ousted a pro-Western government in December 2025. Voter turnout is projected at 60%, significantly higher than previous elections. The conservative GERB party is expected to secure around 20% of the vote. The caretaker government has activated EU systems to combat disinformation and foreign interference. Concerns about vote-buying and the influence of veteran politicians persist. Coalition negotiations are anticipated due to the lack of a clear majority. Key Points: • Rumen Radev leads the polls with approximately 34% support in Bulgaria's elections. • This election follows a political crisis and mass protests against corruption. • The caretaker government is using EU systems to combat election disinformation.

Key Entities

• Kazakhstan (country)
• Russia (country)