Corruption fuels mistrust in Bulgaria’s eighth election in 5 years

Bulgaria held its eighth legislative election in five years on Sunday. The election was triggered by a long political crisis stemming from anti-corruption movements that began in 2021 and ended the administration of Boyko Borissov. The grouping led by former president Rumen Radev, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, was expected to win. Bulgaria, the EU's poorest member, has experienced political instability with successive governments since 2021. Radev, who served as president for nine years, has advocated for renewed ties with Russia and opposes military aid to Ukraine.