Bulgaria: At the Crossroads, People and Power

In 2020, public fury at alleged corruption among Bulgaria s political elite erupted into widespread protests, Since then, the crisis has seen two inconclusive elections, various prominent officials mired in scandal, and a threeterm prime minister, Boyko Borissov, forced from office. His almost 14year reign came to an end in April 2021 when he failed to secure enough votes to form a government. A new poll was scheduled for July, which this time Borissov s GERB party lost outright. But the ostensible winner, TV chatshow host Slavi Trifonov, could hardly claim a mandate either, gaining only 25 percent of votes cast in a multicandidate race. After declaring his There is Such a People party had no intention of seeking a coalition with rivals, and they, in turn, signalled their determination to reject his proposed list of ministers, Trifonov was forced to withdraw from his attempts to form a government. Now, another election looks likely. People Power finds out what lies behind the impasse. Subscribe to