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Bulgaria elected its new representatives to the European Parliament

by AI | 10.Jun 2024 | Europe in brief AI

In the country, parliamentary elections were also held.

Photo: EP

SOFIA – Bulgarian citizens elected the new 17 MEPs who will represent the country in the European Parliament (EP) for the next term. For the first time on Sunday, Bulgaria held elections “two in one” – for representatives in the National Assembly and for members of the EP.

The expectations of sociologists for higher voter turnout were not met. According to data from 95% of the parallel count by one of the sociological agencies – “Alpha Research”, the turnout in the country for the European elections was about 33.4%, and for the National Assembly – 32.5%.

EP elections

Six parties will have their representatives in the only directly elected European institution, according to the results of over 77% of the protocols processed, informed the Central Election Commission (CEC). For the first time, three political formations will have representatives in the EP – “We Continue the Change”, part of the PP-DB coalition, “Revival” and “There is Such a People”.

GERB-SDS, from the political family of the European People’s Party (EPP), took first place with 23.18%. The second political force is “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” (PP-DB) with 15.11% of the vote, followed by “Revival” with 14.44%, MRF – 13.12%, “BSP for Bulgaria” – 6.95% and “There is Such a People” – 6.30%.

One of the participating parties in the PP-DB coalition – “Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria”, is a member of the EPP, and another – “Yes, Bulgaria” – will apply to join the same European political family. PP is still not a member of any political group in the EP.

“Revival” also has not had representatives in the European Parliament until now and is not a member of a European political family, but has an invitation from “Identity and Democracy”.

MRF is a member of ALDE and part of the “Renew Europe” group. BSP is a member of the “Party of European Socialists” and part of the “Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament” group.

Until now, the country had MEPs in the EPP – seven, in the Socialist and Democrats group – four, in “Renew Europe” – three, in “European Conservatives and Reformists” – two and one independent.

Elections for members of the National Assembly

Seven parties will have representatives in the 50th National Assembly.

With 77% of processed protocols, the first political force is GERB-SDS with 24.08% support. There is a close battle for the second position between PP-DB and MRF, which currently receive 14.99% and 15.85% respectively. “Revival” ranks fourth with 14.26%, “BSP for Bulgaria” is fifth with 6.93%, followed by “There is Such a People” – 6.21% and “Sovereignty” – 4.91%.

For Bulgaria, these were the fourth EP elections since the country’s accession to the EU in 2007, and the fifth early parliamentary elections in the last three years.

The results are not final, as the processing of the ballots continues. The CEC announced on election day that the final results of the vote for EP members should be announced by the end of June 12, and the names of the new MEPs will be revealed on Friday, June 14. The deadline for the announcement of the personal composition of the Bulgarian Parliament is June 16.