Limited Cyber Activity Observed in Bulgaria's Parliamentary Elections

During Bulgaria's parliamentary elections for the 52nd National Assembly, officials reported no significant foreign interference. Caretaker Deputy Foreign Minister Velizar Shalamanov noted only limited cyberattacks were detected in the final hours of voting. Investigative journalist Christo Grozev emphasized Bulgaria's activation of the EU Rapid Response System, which he believes had a deterrent effect against potential interference. He mentioned that certain political parties displayed coordinated behavior during the campaign, using electoral techniques similar to those seen in Romania and Hungary. Despite the limited incidents, Grozev criticized the lack of action from electoral authorities regarding reported online activity. The overall perception remains that accountability in public discourse is limited, particularly concerning external influences. The authorities are recommended to enhance coordination among various electoral bodies for future elections.

Key Points: • No significant foreign interference reported in Bulgaria's elections. • Limited cyberattacks observed only in the final hours of voting. • Coordination among electoral bodies is recommended for future elections.