April 2021 Bulgarian parliamentary election

Bulgaria will head to its third national election this year, after the Socialists became the third political party to refuse to lead a government following July's inconclusive parliamentary election. According to analysts, the game-changer this time could be a new political force.

Kornelia Ninova, the leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, casts her vote at parliamentary elections in March 2017. Photo: EPA/VASSIL DONEV

The BSP, which came third in the most recent polls in July, is being given the chance to form a government after failed attempts by the winning party There is Such a Nation and former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's GERB.

A deputy enters the plenary hall before the new parliament's first session in Sofia on July 21, 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

"The discussions are ongoing", political newcomer and proposed PM Plamen Nikolov said on Thursday, declining to give more specific information.

Bulgaria's anti-establishment party "There is such a people" (ITN), which is currently leading negotiations with other parties to form a government, has accused partner parties of having tried to influence the future government without having the right to do so, which according to parliamentary group leader Toshko Yordano, could lead to new elections - the third within a year.

The data of the Gallup polling agency from the parallel census with 100% implementation of the sample show that "There is such a people" wins the early parliamentary vote. The GERB / ​​UDF coalition remains the second political force.

Six parties enter the 46th National Assembly. This is shown by the data from the exit poll of the sociological agencies Gallup International Balkan and Trend, announced immediately after the end of the election day.