Bulgaria finds itself in a familiar predicament after its last elections, struggling with political dependencies and the difficult task of forming a government in a fragmented parliament.
The continuous cycle of elections has affected the political landscape, resulting in a parliament with 8-9 parties, which has complicated the process of government formation.
Daniel Smilov, specialist in comparative constitutional law, sheds light on the challenges and potential consequences of this ongoing political instability.
The struggle to form a government
The impossibility of creating a stable government has become a recurring theme in Bulgaria's political narrative. According to Smilov, the current political climate suggests that the upcoming elections could lead to unpredictable results, with the possibility of new, unforeseen parties entering the fray or existing ones such as MECH and Velichie.
The prospect of another election without a clear path to governance is looming, signaling a critical moment for political parties in Bulgaria.
Electoral integrity in question
Recent elections not only highlighted the lack of trust in the electoral process, but also raised concerns about manipulation. Smilov advocates partial checks in problematic sections, arguing that a full correction of election results would seriously affect the political system. He criticized the decision to remove voting machines, which were seen as a deterrent to manipulation, suggesting their removal facilitated voting irregularities.
The role of the Constitutional Court
Now the Constitutional Court is faced with the task of verifying the evidence of electoral manipulation and discrepancies in the official results. Smilov explains that the court must consider whether to accept a full count or focus on specific parts. This decision could significantly affect the outcome and credibility of the election.
The way forward for GERD
As the leading party, GERB has the responsibility to lead the government formation process. The party is at a crossroads and is considering whether to renew its alliance with Peevski's DPS or seek cooperation with PP-DB.
The elections we will hold in the coming days will be key to determining the political direction of Bulgaria. In summary, Bulgaria's political landscape is marked by uncertainty and challenges in forming a stable government.
Re-elections not only fragmented the parliament, but also cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process. While the country awaits the decision of the Constitutional Court and the next move of GERB, the search for political stability and trust in the electoral system remains more critical than ever.