Bulgarians vote for parliament for the eighth time in five years

Bulgaria Holds Eighth Parliamentary Election After Mass Protests

Polling stations in Bulgaria have opened for the eighth parliamentary election in five years, following mass protests that toppled the previous Conservative-led government in December. The voting process is expected to conclude at 1700 GMT.

The election marks a significant event in Bulgarian politics, as it may lead to the formation of a left-leaning government led by former president Rumen Radev. Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party has garnered support from voters, with opinion polls suggesting a 35 percent share of votes.

Radev, a former air force general, has been vocal about his desire to reform the country’s governance model and tackle corruption. He has also expressed support for renewing ties with Russia and criticized sending military aid to Ukraine. Radev resigned from the presidency in January to launch his bid for prime minister.

The December protests drew hundreds of thousands of people to the streets, calling for an independent judiciary to address widespread corruption. Bulgaria’s political landscape has been marked by fragmented parliaments that have produced weak governments, with most failing to survive more than a year before being brought down by street protests or parliamentary deals.

The election is the latest in a series of significant events in Bulgarian politics, following Hungary’s rejection of authoritarian policies and global far-right movement led by Viktor Orban.

Source: Al Jazeera