The Bulgarians go to the polls, this Sunday, April 2, for new anticipated legislative. Between crisis and corruption, the pollsters fear a strong abstention and a Parliament just as fragmented as the previous times.
With our correspondent in Sofia, Damian Vodenitcharov
Investigations, arrests, muscular raids are in order before the ballot. In Bulgaria, vote buying is widespread. This year, like all sectors of the economy, it is also affected by inflation. Prices for one vote have tripled, Interior Minister Ivan Demerdjiev said. ” Investigative material indicates that prices are now reaching 75 euros and that payments are made in stages. Part of the sum is paid before, and another after the vote “, he specifies.
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The Bulgarians, they no longer have confidence in the political class. To the point of no longer wanting to go to the polls, like Maria. ” I hesitate to vote, she confides. I no longer recognize myself in these politicians, and I am not the only one. I still have time to change my mind… There was a time when I was an activist, I always voted, I participated in rallies, but not anymore. »
While sociologists predict a turnout of less than 40%, even Bulgarians who are determined to vote say they are tired of politicians’ intransigence. ” There are too many political figures on the front of the stage who are not ready to compromise, believes Ivan. There is no teamwork. Of course, there is corruption, but the will to agree is lacking. »
Impossible coalition
For two years and the fall of former Conservative Prime Minister Boïko Borissov after a decade in power, elected officials have been unable to put their differences aside to form a stable coalition. A stagnation accentuated by the conflict in Ukraine in a society historically and culturally close to Moscow, which is torn over the aid to be provided to kyiv.
Two major forces are clashing this Sunday: on the one hand, the conservative Gerb party of Boïko Borissov, on the other the pro-Western reformers of Kiril Petkov, a 42-year-old entrepreneur who briefly governed in 2022. And the polls show them give shoulder to shoulder. Parliament therefore risks being just as fragmented and ungovernable after today’s vote. And to have to deal with a new interim government appointed by President Rumen Radev, fiercely opposed to any support for Ukraine.