For the fifth time since 2021, no single party or alliance has secured a simple majority in the Bulgarian parliament.

Ahead of the fifth elections in the last two years, young Bulgarian activist Gabriel Valkov highlights the major factors responsible for the political crisis facing the country

Political instability with back-to-back snap polls and the ongoing cost of living crisis have led to resentment towards mainstream political parties, evident in the low voter turnout of just 39.40%

The Petkov-led coalition government was formed last year after two inconclusive snap elections following the ouster of Boyko Borisov’s conservative regime

The anti-corruption big tent ‘There Is Such a People’ (ITN) party, led by celebrity singer Slavi Trifonov, emerged as the single largest party in the parliamentary elections held on July 11. No party or coalition was able to achieve a simple majority

The protests demanding the resignation of the conservative government of Boyko Borisov for corruption and other charges have entered their third week. Leftist and progressive sections have sought a systemic change and not just fresh elections