![\"Bulgarians](\"https:\/\/www.ekathimerini.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26106777870921-320x200.jpg\")
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A supporter of former Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, the front-runner, reacts during the closing rally of his campaign, in Sofia, Thursday. [Valentina Petrova\/AP] <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Bulgarians are heading to the polls on Sunday for the eighth time in five years, hoping to finally elect a parliament able to resolve the longtime political impasse that has gripped this Balkan country.<\/p>\n
The snap vote follows the resignation of a conservative-led government amid nationwide protests last December that drew hundreds of thousands, mainly young people, to the streets. The protesters called for an independent judiciary to tackle widespread corruption.<\/p>\n
Since 2021, the nation of 6.5 million has struggled with fragmented parliaments that produced weak governments, none of which managed to survive more than a year before being brought down by street protests or backroom deals in parliament.<\/p>\n
The revolving door of governments has fostered widespread public mistrust, voter apathy and a shrinking turnout in elections.<\/p>\n
Still, Sunday\u2019s vote is significant as it could bring to power a left-leaning, pro-Russian former president \u2013 just days after Hungarian voters rejected the authoritarian policies and global far-right movement of Viktor Orban, who cultivated close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n
The front-runner, Bulgaria\u2019s former President Rumen Radev, is leading a newly formed, center-left Progressive Bulgaria coalition. He resigned from the mostly ceremonial presidency in January, a few months before the end of his second term, to launch a bid to lead the government as prime minister.<\/p>\n
The 62-year-old former fighter pilot and air force commander is seen as Bulgaria\u2019s most popular politician and has promised to give the nation a fresh start. His supporters are split on those hoping he will put an end to the country\u2019s oligarchic corruption and those lining up behind his Eurosceptic and pro-Russian views.<\/p>\n
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m., and are to close at 8 p.m., after which initial exit polls will be announced. Preliminary results are expected on Monday.<\/p>\n
Bulgaria, a European Union and NATO member country, joined the eurozone on Jan. 1, shortly after entering the border-free Schengen travel area. However, it has been plagued by political instability since 2021, when three-time conservative Prime Minister Boyko Borissov resigned following massive protests fueled by anger over widespread corruption and injustice.<\/p>\n
Radev has cast himself as an opponent of the country\u2019s entrenched mafia and its ties to high-ranking politicians. At campaign rallies he vowed to \u201cremove the corrupt, oligarchic model of governance from political power.\u201d<\/p>\n
And though Radev has officially denounced Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, he has repeatedly opposed military aid to Kyiv and has favored reopening talks with Russia as a way out of the conflict.<\/p>\n
Opinion polls predict that Radev\u2019s coalition could get more than 30% of the vote, putting him nearly 10% ahead of his closest rival \u2013 Borissov\u2019s center-right GERB party. Most polls report margins of error from 3 to 3.5%. [AP]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n