Political reactions after the results of the parliamentary elections (updated)

Early elections for the 52nd National Assembly were held in Bulgaria today. After the end of election day, reactions from political forces followed.

“We will do everything possible to prevent us from going to elections again. It is detrimental for Bulgaria. This means going from crisis to crisis and we must work very seriously so that we can get out of these crises." This was what the leader of "Progressive Bulgaria", ex-president of Bulgaria (2017 - 2026) Rumen Radev told journalists after the end of election day. According to him, "Progressive Bulgaria" is ready for various options so that Bulgaria has a regular and stable government. Radev also said that Bulgaria would remain on its European path, but with a more pragmatic approach: "Bulgaria continues to follow its European path, but Europe needs critical thinking and pragmatism." According to him, the victory of "Progressive Bulgaria" was "a symbolic victory of public energy against distrust in politics." Radev thanked the Bulgarians abroad, who waited for hours in queues to exercise their vote, as well as the members of the commissions, services and the Ministry of Interior for their efforts in combating vote buying. When asked about the future actions of the PB and the judicial reform, Radev said that his program envisages concrete steps. "We have a comprehensive concept, very detailed, for the dismantling of the oligarchic model. We will follow this path," he said.

"No coalitions! Winning the elections is one thing, governing is quite another. Elections decide who comes first, but negotiations will decide who will govern. In politics, as in life, patience is needed," GERB commented on its Facebook page after the first results. During its vote today, GERB leader Boyko Borisov said that GERB would not participate in coalitions and that the chance of a government was small. He recalled that GERB had participated in various coalitions over the years, but said: "I don't see who we can form a coalition with at the moment." However, he pointed out that the party would be a constructive opposition on issues related to geopolitics, such as defence. In these elections, GERB recorded its weakest result.

"It is sportsmanlike to congratulate the winner of these elections – Mr. Rumen Radev, and we congratulate him. The battle for the fairness of the vote is not over yet." This was stated by Asen Vassilev from the PP-DB coalition after the elections. In a statement, the coalition announced that the PP-DB would be the guarantor of Bulgaria's European path in the new parliament. "Bulgarian citizens went out, voted and left GERB and DPS in the past. From here on, we have an enormous amount of work ahead of us," Vassilev said.

"We thank each of you who chose the only party that protects the Bulgarian national interest! We await the final results!", Vazrazhdane wrote on Facebook. During his vote today, Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov said that Bulgaria must pursue a more independent policy, preserve its national currency and have an independent economic course. According to him, renegotiation of certain relations within the EU was necessary.

"We want to express our gratitude to all Bulgarian citizens who exercised their right to vote. This showed that our democracy is alive," said Krum Zarkov, who headed the BSP in February. He noted that the results still do not show categorically whether the BSP will be represented in parliament and that this is to be clarified in the coming hours and days. Zarkov congratulated Rumen Radev's party ("Progressive Bulgaria") on the achieved success and pointed out that Bulgaria must finally have a stable, competent and honest government. According to Zarkov, BSP is ready to cooperate with other formations, "but with clear principles - transparency, mutual respect and equality."

Editor: Miglena Ivanova