Bulgarians are voting in their fifth parliamentary elections in just two years, amid widespread voter apathy and disillusionment with endemic corruption and political instability. The country’s economic woes, fueled by the war in Ukraine, have further exacerbated the situation. Turnout is expected to be low, and initial exit poll results will be announced after polls close at 8 pm (17:00 GMT) on Sunday, with preliminary results expected on Monday.
Cybersecurity experts have attributed a wave of bomb threats targeted at polling stations to hacker groups engaged in hybrid attacks, most likely linked to Russia and aimed at creating fear and reducing voter turnout. The latest polls put conservative leader Boyko Borissov’s GERB party neck and neck with the reformist We Continue the Change (PP), led by Harvard-educated Kiril Petkov, who was briefly prime minister in 2022. Up to seven groups could muster the four percent threshold to enter a fragmented parliament where populist and pro-Russia parties are likely to increase their representation and promote anti-EU politics. Up to seven groups could meet the four percent threshold to enter the Bulgarian parliament, which would create a fragmented political landscape. Populist and pro-Russia parties are expected to increase their representation, potentially promoting anti-EU politics.
The ultranationalist Vazrazhdane party, which supports Russia’s actions in Ukraine, is expected to gain 13 percent of the votes, up from the 10 percent it won in the last general election in October. Meanwhile, the socialist BSP, the successor of Bulgaria’s Communist Party, also opposes sending weapons to Ukrainian forces and has aligned with Moscow. Cybersecurity experts have attributed the wave of bomb threats targeting schools hosting polling stations in Bulgaria’s parliamentary election to hacker groups engaged in hybrid attacks, most likely linked to Russia. The aim of these attacks is reportedly to create fear and reduce voter turnout.
