Parliamentary Elections in Bulgaria

Briefing on the current situation in Bulgaria

Vladislava Gubalova, 
Senior Fellow, Centre for Global Europe, GLOBSEC Policy Institute, Bratislava

Panel Discussion

Yasen Georgiev, 
Executive Director, Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Sofia
Vladislava Gubalova, 
Senior Fellow, Centre for Global Europe, GLOBSEC Policy Institute, Bratislava
Mimi Kornazheva, 
Director, Bulgarian-Romanian Interuniversity Europe Center (BRIE), University of Ruse

Moderation

Sebastian Schäffer, 
Managing Director, Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM)

Content

For the fourth time in two years, Bulgarian citizens will head to the polls as political instability continues to reign in the country. After the loss of the majority and of the vote of no-confidence in June 2022 to the coalition that ruled only briefly, the future composition of the government will again be decided during a turbulent time for the whole of Europe. In addition to domestic issues such as corruption, the connection between politics and the criminal networks, and the lack of reforms, the country faces both pan-European and regional challenges. Rising energy prices, a highly fragmented social and political landscape as well as strained relations with neighbouring countries contribute to the deepening of the two-year political crisis. How did the fourth attempt to form a parliament go and what results did the election bring? What conflicts can we anticipate within the new coalition and can we finally count on a stable government? The post-election situation and expected developments on the political future of Bulgaria will be presented by experts during a hybrid discussion.
 

In cooperation with the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe – IDM and the Political Academy of the ÖVP