Polls Close in Bulgaria's Early Parliamentary Elections

(MENAFN) Polling stations across Bulgaria closed Sunday in early parliamentary elections to select lawmakers for the 52nd National Assembly, the Central Election Commission confirmed.

By 4 p.m. local time, nationwide turnout reached 34.63%, Deputy Chairwoman and spokesperson Rositsa Mateva said during a briefing, according to Bulgarian media.

Mateva noted participation was markedly higher compared to the previous snap election on Oct. 27, 2024, when turnout at the same point stood at 26.25%.

Election officials said more than 6.5 million citizens were eligible to vote. The race features 14 political parties and 10 alliances competing for seats in the 240-member parliament, where at least 121 seats are required to form a governing majority.

Initial exit polls released by the research center Trend indicate that Progressive Bulgaria is leading with 39.2% of the vote.

According to media, Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria-Union of Democratic Forces is projected in second place with 15.1%, followed by We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria at 13.3%.

Movement for Rights and Freedoms is expected to secure 8.1%, while Revival is forecast at 5%, just above the threshold needed to enter parliament.

Meanwhile, Bulgarian Socialist Party-United Left is projected to receive 4.2%, according to the exit poll.

Since 2021, the Balkan nation of roughly 6.5 million people has faced persistent political instability, marked by fractured legislatures, unsuccessful coalition-building efforts, and recurring caretaker governments appointed by the presidency.

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