Progressive Bulgaria leads in early election results with just over 43%

The Progressive Bulgaria coalition led by former President Rumen Radev was leading in preliminary election results which the country’s Central Election Commission began releasing hours after Sunday’s early parliamentary polls.

According to the initial results, with just 14.22% of the tally sheets processed, Progressive Bulgaria held 43.7%, Nova TV reported.

The We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition was in second place with 15.22%, ahead of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria-Union of Democratic Forces coalition with 12.49%, the broadcaster reported.

The Revival party followed with 4.91% support, while the Movement for Rights and Freedoms party was projected to win just 4.39%, slightly above the threshold required to enter parliament.

A total of 14 political parties and 10 alliances are competing in the vote.

Under the electoral system, parties must secure at least 121 seats in the 240-member parliament to form a government.

A parallel vote count by polling agencies carried by the BTA news agency showed Progressive Bulgaria receiving roughly 45% of vote, clearing the 120-seat mark.

According to the research center Trend, Progressive Bulgaria is projected to win 134 seats, followed by Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria-Union of Democratic Forces with 38 and We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria with 37.

Movement for Rights and Freedoms-New Beginning is projected to take 19 seats, while Revival is seen winning 12.

According to the Central Election Commission, over 6.5 million people were eligible to vote in Sunday’s election, and as of 4 pm local time (1300GMT), voter turnout nationwide stood at 34.63%.

Since 2021, the Balkan country has struggled with fragmented parliaments, failed coalition negotiations and deep political divisions, resulting in short-lived governments and repeated caretaker administrations appointed by the presidency.