By Alex Lefkowitz and Edward McAllister
SOFIA, April 19 (Reuters) – Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday in the eighth parliamentary election in five years, with the clear frontrunner, pro-Russian former President Rumen Radev, promising to end a spiral of weak, short-lived governments and stamp out widespread corruption.
Radev, a eurosceptic former fighter pilot who opposes military support for Ukraine’s war effort against Moscow, stepped down from the presidency in January to run in the election, which comes after mass protests forced out the previous government in December.
A slick social media campaign, deep coffers and a pledge of stability have boosted Radev’s support in the Balkan country of about 6.5 million, where voters are weary of repeated snap polls and a small group of veteran politicians widely seen as corrupt.
The cost of living is also an issue since Bulgaria, a member of the European Union and NATO, adopted the euro in January. The previous government fell amid protests against a new budget proposing tax rises and higher social security contributions.
That and the recent political crisis appear to be more important to voters than Radev’s calls to improve relations with Moscow or resume Russian oil and gas flows to Europe.
“Politicians need to come together and make decisions – not have constant conflicts and arguments, going from one election to another without getting anything done,” said Bogomil Bardarski, a 72-year-old metalworker who voted in the capital Sofia.
RADEV HAS STRONG LEAD IN POLLS
Opinion polls on Friday showed Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria securing about 35% of the vote, up from a month ago. If confirmed, that would mark one of the strongest results by a single party in years, though still short of a parliamentary majority.
Polls close at 8 p.m. (1700 GMT). Exit polls are expected as the vote closes and preliminary results could come later on Sunday or Monday.
Voter interest is up. A poll by Sofia-based Alpha Research forecasts turnout of around 60%, nearly double the 34% recorded in June 2024.
The figures highlight mounting frustration with the long dominance of the GERB party led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, which trails in second place with about 18%, and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, whose leader Delyan Peevski is under U.S. and UK sanctions for corruption.
One possible coalition partner is the pro-European We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition, which also says reform is needed.
Critics say Radev bears some responsibility for controversial decisions taken by interim governments he appointed during his presidency from 2016. These include a 2023 gas deal between Turkish state gas company Botas and Bulgaria’s Bulgargaz that led to losses and an investigation.
“Any coalition that is formed is likely to suffer from government instability and face significant scrutiny from civil society and the opposition. Another snap election in 2026 is less likely now, but remains a significant possibility,” said Mario Bikarski, an analyst at risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft.
BREAK FROM THE PAST?
Bulgaria has developed rapidly since the fall of communism in 1989 and joined the European Union in 2007. Life expectancy has risen sharply, unemployment is the lowest in the EU, and the economy has greater safeguards since joining the euro zone.
But Bulgaria lags other EU countries in many metrics, and graft remains endemic, including in elections, where vote-buying is rife. Bulgaria ranks 84th in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, the lowest score in the EU alongside Hungary.
“The state is basically falling apart,” said IT specialist Evgeniy Shoh, 50, who voted in Sofia. He wants to see improvements in healthcare and education and “finally, to get out of this swamp we’ve been in for what, over 30 years?”
(Writing by Edward McAllister; Editing by Mark Potter and Jacqueline Wong)
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