Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria Wins Plurality with Over 1.4 Million Votes

**TL;DR Progressive Bulgaria, led by Rumen Radev, won 1,444,924 votes (44.6% of the total) in Sunday’s election, the largest single share but shy of a majority. GERB‑SDS and PP‑DB followed with 13.4% and 12.6% respectively.

**Context With 100% of polling station protocols processed by the Central Election Commission, approximately 3.2 million ballots were counted. Parties must reach at least 4% of the national vote to gain seats; two groups, MECH and “Velichie,” each drew about 100,000 votes but fell short of that threshold.

**Key Facts - Progressive Bulgaria: 1,444,924 votes, 44.594% - GERB‑SDS: 433,755 votes, 13.4% - PP‑DB: 408,845 votes, 12.6% - Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS): 230,693 votes, 7.1% - Nationalist party “Vazrazhdane”: 137,940 votes, 4.3% - Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP): 97,753 votes, below 4% - MECH and “Velichie": roughly 100,000 votes each, under the 4% mark

**What It Means The results give Progressive Bulgaria a plurality, positioning it to lead coalition talks, as no single party crossed the 50% mark. Analysts expect the coalition to focus on fiscal reforms and EU fund absorption, though specifics will depend on partner parties. The weakened showing of traditional forces like GERB‑SDS and BSP signals a shift toward newer alignments.

**What to Watch Next Watch next: negotiations over a coalition government, policy priorities that emerge from the talks, and how the new parliament will address economic and EU‑related challenges. Observers will also monitor whether any party attempts to call a snap election if talks stall.