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PoliticsBulgaria

Will Sunday's election end Bulgaria's political paralysis?

Lavinia Pitu | Mariya Milkova in Sofia
April 16, 2026

As Bulgarians prepare to go to the polls for the eighth time in five years on April 19, the country is at a critical juncture. Will voters be able to end the political instability or will the outcome deepen the crisis?

https://p.dw.com/p/5CIdv

Bulgaria heads to the polls for the eighth time in five years this weekend.

Amid mass Gen Z-led protests, corruption scandals and growing public distrust, the government collapsed last December, deepening the political instability and paralysis in the country. 

This political situation, coupled with rising prices, the fact that Bulgaria joined the eurozone at the beginning of the year and growing geopolitical tension across the continent, Sunday's election is set to be a pivotal one, not only for Bulgaria but also for Europe as a whole.

A woman with long brown hair (Lavinia Pitu) smiles at the camera; in the background is a cityscape with buildings, church towers and a river.
Lavinia Pitu Video editor, investigative journalist, TV presenter