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BLOOMBERG
Bulgarians are voting in their fifth election in two years, seeking to end turmoil that has paralysed the political system and put at risk European Union (EU) unity over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Balkan country has been grappling with a political stalemate after a series of inconclusive votes — most recently in October — has given no political force enough support to muster a ruling majority. With opinion polls showing no clear winner in Sunday’s ballot, another snap election this year is a possibility.
The war in Ukraine has only added to the chaos in the EU’s poorest country, which is on Nato’s eastern flank less than 300 miles away from Crimea across the Black Sea. Parties led by former prime ministers Boyko Borissov and Kiril Petkov are running neck and neck with the backing of more than a quarter of voters, according to opinion polls.
While they have at least said they will hold talks after ballots are counted, they’re deeply divided over accusations of corruption. The acrimony is likely to extend a political standoff, delayed Bulgaria’s plans to join the euro area, tap Covid-19 recovery funds and tackle reforms aimed at catching up with richer EU states.
During two years of short-lived governments, most power has been in the hands of interim cabinets appointed by President Rumen Radev, a Nato-trained former fighter pilot and general who has taken pro-Moscow stances, including saying Crimea is Russian in an election campaign and labelling opponents who support arming Ukraine as warmongers.
The crisis has isolated the country of 7 million on the EU periphery. With inflation last year hitting the highest this century, Bulgaria abandoned its goal to join the euro area in 2024.
Economic troubles in the Nato member have boosted support for the nationalist, pro-Russian Revival party. And the president has repeatedly refused to provide military aid to Ukraine on grounds that it will extend the war — a position most Bulgarians support.