Bulgaria: Political Developments and Data in 2021

Abstract

2021 was a turbulent political year in Bulgaria. Event-wise, it saw three rounds of legislative elections, one presidential election, two caretaker cabinets and a lot of institutional struggles. In terms of results, 2021 saw the end of Citizens for a European Development of Bulgaria/Grazhdani za evropeysko razvitie na Bulgaria (GERB) dominance in political life, challenges to the links between the state and economic strongmen established during its government, and a new, reform-minded, coalition Cabinet taking power. New parties made an entrance on the legislative scene: There Is Such a People/Ima takuv narod (ITN) led by Slavi Trifonov won one election (July) and then lost the next one (November), when a brand new party We Continue the Change/Prodalzhavame promyanata (PP) won a plurality of votes. Another surprising outcome was the acceptance of the Bulgarian Socialists/BSP za Balgariya (BSP) as a legitimate coalition partner after July 2021. The year also saw an inconsistent pattern of anti-Covid-19 policies, low vaccination and high death rates.