Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria

The eighth attempt to elect a Speaker of the 51st National Assembly has once again failed, with neither candidate securing the necessary votes. In the latest session, Natalia Kiselova, nominated by "BSP - United Left", received 87 votes in favor, 60 against, and 90 abstentions. She was primarily supported by the GERB party and the left-wing factions.

Boyko Borissov, leader of GERB and former Prime Minister, emphasized that Bulgaria is heading toward new early parliamentary elections. Speaking at the party's national meeting, he described this as the last opportunity for a wiser political approach before Monday.

According to the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, the pro-Russian party "Revival" (Vazrazhdane) has the potential to become the second-largest political force in Bulgaria following the upcoming elections on October 27. This shift could pave the way for closer ties with Russia.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Mediana sociological agency, GERB leads the pre-election polls in Bulgaria with a 14% lead over the second-placed "Revival". If the elections were held today, nearly 29 percent of Bulgarians would cast their votes for GERB, while "Revival" would receive nearly 15%.

Rumen Radev (right) and Mariya Gabriel, the GERB-SDS party's candidate for prime minister, at a ceremony to hand over the mandate to form a new government in Sofia on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

Electoral Engineering

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends a press conference after a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, 21 March 2023. Photo: EPA-EFE/NECATI SAVAS

Rumen Radev, Bulgarian president, running for a new mandate, in Sofia, 18 November 2021. Photo; EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

This will be the fifth general election in Bulgaria in two years and will be followed by mayoral elections later in 2023, which will test the centre-right GERB party's dominance in local administration.

Turning a New Page

People stand on their balconies next to the election banner of the GERB party reading, 'Stronger than chaos' in Sofia. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

I am not a party candidate. I am ready to work with all parties. It is important for me to be supported by people from the whole spectrum. I hope to convince everyone that I am the right president to convince all these people. This was stated by the rector of Sofia University Prof.

aretaker governments do not have to be weak governments: The Netherlands has demonstrated this well over the past few months. Maybe Bulgaria's struggling caretaker administration can take a few lessons on board?

Bulgarians will be heading to the polls once again on November 14 to cast a vote in the country's third parliamentary election of the year.