Overview
- The snap parliamentary vote held Sunday marks the eighth national election in five years, with polls closing at 8 p.m. local time and exit polls expected afterward.
- Former president Rumen Radev leads surveys at roughly 30–35% for his Progressive Bulgaria bloc after resigning in January to run on a pledge to curb entrenched corruption.
- Radev opposes sending Bulgarian weapons to Ukraine and favors warmer ties with Russia, positions that could test Bulgaria’s role in the European Union and NATO.
- Pre‑vote polling points to no outright majority, so post‑election bargaining will shape the next cabinet, and analysts warn any deal could be shaky with another snap vote still possible.
- Police intensified operations against vote‑buying before the ballot, seizing over €1 million and detaining hundreds, in a campaign unfolding as many voters worry about higher prices since euro adoption in January.