By Our Correspondent

National News – Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday, April 19, 2026, in the country’s eighth parliamentary election in five years, amid a prolonged political crisis and anti-corruption demands.

The vote, held across Bulgaria in the European Union’s poorest member state, sees ex-president Rumen Radev and his newly formed Progressive Bulgaria grouping positioned as frontrunners in opinion polls, while Boyko Borissov’s GERB party and liberal PP-DB trail behind.

The crisis began after 2021 anti-corruption protests toppled the long-dominant conservative leadership.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. and are expected to close in the evening as citizens decide the future of a 240-seat parliament and possible coalition outcomes.

The election marks the eighth vote since 2021, driven by repeated government collapses and voter fatigue.

Radev, a former air force general and ex-president, has campaigned on fighting corruption and dismantling what he calls oligarchic governance, while also calling for stronger ties with Russia and criticising EU green energy and Ukraine military support policies.

His bloc is projected to lead with around 35 percent, while GERB is expected to follow with about 20 percent, according to polls.

Analysts say Radev has ruled out coalition with GERB and the DPS party led by Delyan Peevski, who faces corruption sanctions from the United States and Britain.

He has instead called for an outright parliamentary majority in the 240-seat legislature.

Political distrust has previously reduced turnout to 39 percent in the 2024 vote, but observers expect higher participation this time following intense campaigning and anti-corruption mobilization.

Police have also intensified operations against vote buying, detaining hundreds in recent weeks.

Radev’s rally-style campaign, including public appearances in Sofia and references to past meetings with global leaders, has stirred debate over Bulgaria’s geopolitical direction between the EU and Russia.

With polling stations closing later in the day, results are expected to shape coalition talks in a deeply fragmented parliament.

High turnout could determine whether Progressive Bulgaria secures a governing majority or faces another cycle of political instability in the Balkan nation.