Bulgarians vote for the eighth time in five consecutive years nationwide

Bulgaria Holds Eighth Parliamentary Election Amid Protests

Voting began on Sunday for Bulgaria’s eighth parliamentary election, following mass protests that toppled the previous Conservative-led government in December. Polling stations opened at 7am local time and are scheduled to close at 1700 GMT.

The election marks a significant event as it could potentially bring to power Rumen Radev, a former president who has expressed support for left-leaning policies and closer ties with Russia. Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party is leading the centre-left grouping that has garnered an estimated 35 percent of votes in opinion polls prior to the election.

The December protests drew hundreds of thousands of mainly young people to the streets, calling for an independent judiciary to tackle widespread corruption. The protesters’ demands led to the resignation of the previous government and paved the way for Radev’s bid to become prime minister.

Bulgaria has struggled with fragmented parliaments that have produced weak governments since 2021. None of these governments have managed to survive more than a year before being brought down by street protests or backroom deals in parliament. The outcome of Sunday’s election will be closely watched, as it could determine the country’s future political direction.

As voting continues, Radev and his party are expected to face stiff competition from other parties vying for power. The results of the election will be announced once all polling stations have closed.

Source: Al Jazeera