Eighth election in five years follows government collapse in December, with stability and cost of living among key issues
Bulgarians are voting in the eighth parliamentary election in five years, with the clear frontrunner, the pro-Russian former president Rumen Radev, promising to stamp out corruption and end a succession of weak, short-lived governments.
Radev, a Eurosceptic former fighter pilot who has opposed military support for Ukraine, stepped down from the presidency in January to run in the election, which comes after mass demonstrations forced out the previous government in December.
Slick social media campaigns and a promise of stability have boosted Radev’s support in the Balkan country of about 6.5 million people, where voters are weary of repeated elections and a small group of veteran politicians whom many see as corrupt.
“We need, finally, a path to a democratic, modern European Bulgaria,” Radev said after casting his ballot in Sofia. “We need our very robust programme in the parliament to support the Bulgarian citizens to get out as soon as possible of this very difficult situation.”
