Bulgaria's Central Electoral Commission reported that Progressive Bulgaria won 131 of 240 parliamentary seats with 1,444,920 votes (44.594%) in the April 19, 2026 election, securing an absolute majority.² Four other parties crossed the 4% threshold: GERB-SDS won 39 seats with 13.387% of votes, PP-DB won 37 seats with 12.618%, DPS won 21 seats with 7.120%, and Vazrazhdane (Revival) won 12 seats with 4.257%.

According to the Central Electoral Commission, voter turnout reached 50.70% with 3,360,330 people voting out of 6,627,747 registered voters.² The Inter-Parliamentary Union reported a slightly different turnout figure of 51.1%, using a smaller registered-voter base of 6,575,151, but confirmed the same raw voter count of 3,360,330.inter-parliamentary-uniondata.ipu.orgBulgaria National Assembly April 2026 Election - IPU Parline2026-04-19 — Registered voters: 6,575,151. Voters: 3,360,330. Voter turnout: 51.1%. Total candidates: 4,783 (3,343 men, 1,440 women). Progressive Bulgaria won 131 seats, GERB-UDF 39, We Continue the Change-DB 37, DPS 21, Revival 12. Wikipedia reported this was the highest turnout since April 2021.wikipediaen.wikipedia.org2026 Bulgarian parliamentary election2026-04-19 — Progressive Bulgaria obtained 1,444,920 votes (43.91%), securing 131 seats – an absolute majority. Final turnout slightly exceeded 50%. GERB–SDS received 433,755 votes (13.18%, 39 seats), PP–DB got 408,846 (12.42%, 37 seats), DPS 230,693 (7.01%, 21 seats), Revival 137,940 (4.19%, 12 seats). According to Wikipedia, nearly 20% of votes went to parties below the 4% threshold.wikipediaen.wikipedia.org2026 Bulgarian parliamentary election2026-04-19 — Progressive Bulgaria obtained 1,444,920 votes (43.91%), securing 131 seats – an absolute majority. Final turnout slightly exceeded 50%. GERB–SDS received 433,755 votes (13.18%, 39 seats), PP–DB got 408,846 (12.42%, 37 seats), DPS 230,693 (7.01%, 21 seats), Revival 137,940 (4.19%, 12 seats).

The Inter-Parliamentary Union reported that 4,783 candidates contested the election: 3,343 men and 1,440 women, representing 30.1% women candidates.inter-parliamentary-uniondata.ipu.orgBulgaria National Assembly April 2026 Election - IPU Parline2026-04-19 — Registered voters: 6,575,151. Voters: 3,360,330. Voter turnout: 51.1%. Total candidates: 4,783 (3,343 men, 1,440 women). Progressive Bulgaria won 131 seats, GERB-UDF 39, We Continue the Change-DB 37, DPS 21, Revival 12.

According to the China-CEE Institute, Bulgaria's Parliament elected Rumen Radev as Prime Minister on May 8, 2026.china-cee-institutechina-cee.euBulgaria monthly briefing: The Radev Administration – A New Era of Bulgarian Governance2026-05-08 — On May 8, 2026, Bulgarian Parliament elected a new government headed by former president Rumen Radev as Prime Minister. This marks the first time in modern Bulgarian history a former president assumes leadership of executive branch. Cabinet consists of 21 ministers, proposed faster than ever since democracy introduction. Wikipedia corroborates that Radev took office on that date.² The China-CEE Institute reported this marked the first time in modern Bulgarian history that a former president assumed leadership of the executive branch.china-cee-institutechina-cee.euBulgaria monthly briefing: The Radev Administration – A New Era of Bulgarian Governance2026-05-08 — On May 8, 2026, Bulgarian Parliament elected a new government headed by former president Rumen Radev as Prime Minister. This marks the first time in modern Bulgarian history a former president assumes leadership of executive branch. Cabinet consists of 21 ministers, proposed faster than ever since democracy introduction.

The China-CEE Institute reported the cabinet consists of 21 ministers and was, per the China-CEE Institute, proposed faster than in any previous government formation since Bulgaria's democratic transition—a superlative that is not independently corroborated.china-cee-institutechina-cee.euBulgaria monthly briefing: The Radev Administration – A New Era of Bulgarian Governance2026-05-08 — On May 8, 2026, Bulgarian Parliament elected a new government headed by former president Rumen Radev as Prime Minister. This marks the first time in modern Bulgarian history a former president assumes leadership of executive branch. Cabinet consists of 21 ministers, proposed faster than ever since democracy introduction. Wikipedia reported the cabinet includes four deputy prime ministers: Galab Donev overseeing Finance, Aleksandar Pulev overseeing Economy, Ivo Hristov overseeing Strategic Development, and Atanas Pekanov overseeing EU Funds.² According to Wikipedia, Progressive Bulgaria holds key ministerial positions including Interior, Defence, Agriculture, and Environment.²

According to Wikipedia, Bulgaria's political crisis lasted from April 4, 2021 to May 8, 2026—a period of 5 years, 1 month, and 4 days.² Wikipedia and S&P Global Ratings both reported the crisis involved eight parliamentary elections.s-p-global-ratingsspglobal.comBulgaria Outlook Revised To Positive On Improved Political Stability2026-05-15 — S&P Global Ratings revised outlook on Bulgaria to positive from stable May 15, 2026, affirming 'BBB+/A-2' ratings. First time since 1997 single party secured parliamentary majority. Brings end to Bulgaria's five-year political crisis marked by fragile coalitions and eight parliamentary elections. Previous policy paralysis could reverse given new government's reform plans. This figure is contested: a BRICS News post refers instead to a 'seventh snap election since 2020,' and sources use different baseline years and inclusion criteria, so the raw election count remains unresolved.

Wikipedia reported the crisis produced three short-lived governments led by Petkov, Denkov, and Zhelyazkov before concluding after Progressive Bulgaria's absolute majority victory.² S&P Global Ratings corroborated that the crisis ended with the first single-party majority since 1997.s-p-global-ratingsspglobal.comBulgaria Outlook Revised To Positive On Improved Political Stability2026-05-15 — S&P Global Ratings revised outlook on Bulgaria to positive from stable May 15, 2026, affirming 'BBB+/A-2' ratings. First time since 1997 single party secured parliamentary majority. Brings end to Bulgaria's five-year political crisis marked by fragile coalitions and eight parliamentary elections. Previous policy paralysis could reverse given new government's reform plans.

On May 15, 2026, S&P Global Ratings revised Bulgaria's outlook to positive from stable while affirming BBB+/A-2 ratings.s-p-global-ratingsspglobal.comBulgaria Outlook Revised To Positive On Improved Political Stability2026-05-15 — S&P Global Ratings revised outlook on Bulgaria to positive from stable May 15, 2026, affirming 'BBB+/A-2' ratings. First time since 1997 single party secured parliamentary majority. Brings end to Bulgaria's five-year political crisis marked by fragile coalitions and eight parliamentary elections. Previous policy paralysis could reverse given new government's reform plans. S&P explicitly cited the end of Bulgaria's five-year political crisis and the restoration of single-party governance as factors in the upgrade.²

According to Novinite.com, Bulgaria's National Assembly adopted the draft 2026 state budget on first reading on July 15, 2026.² The budget set a deficit of 5.7% of GDP (€7.191 billion); Novinite.com characterized this as the highest in the eurozone, though no Eurostat or European Commission data was cited to corroborate the comparison.³

Novinite.com reported the budget bill passed with 143 votes in favor and 81 against, with support coming only from Progressive Bulgaria and DPS.² Opposition parties GERB, DB, PP, and Revival all voted against the budget, according to Novinite.com.novinite-comnovinite.comBulgarian Parliament Passes 2026 Budget on First Reading with Record 5.7% Deficit2026-07-15 — Bulgaria's National Assembly adopted draft 2026 state budget on first reading July 15, approving deficit of 5.7% of GDP (€7.191 billion), highest in eurozone. Bill passed with 143 votes in favor, 81 against. Support came only from Progressive Bulgaria and DPS. GERB, DB, PP and Revival voted against.

A BRICS News Facebook post reported that Bulgaria's government resigned on December 11, 2025, ahead of a no-confidence vote following weeks of protests.brics-news-facebookfacebook.comBulgaria's government just resigned ahead of no-confidence vote2025-12-11 — Bulgaria's government resigned December 11, 2025, ahead of no-confidence vote after weeks of massive protests. PM Rosen Zhelyazkov stepped down Thursday following nationwide demonstrations over controversial 2026 budget proposal critics say concealed corruption. Country has held seven snap elections since 2020. According to the post, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stepped down amid nationwide demonstrations over a controversial 2026 budget proposal that, according to the same unverified post, unnamed critics alleged concealed corruption.novinite-comnovinite.comBulgarian Parliament Passes 2026 Budget on First Reading with Record 5.7% Deficit2026-07-15 — Bulgaria's National Assembly adopted draft 2026 state budget on first reading July 15, approving deficit of 5.7% of GDP (€7.191 billion), highest in eurozone. Bill passed with 143 votes in favor, 81 against. Support came only from Progressive Bulgaria and DPS. GERB, DB, PP and Revival voted against. These claims remain unverified, as no credible independent news outlets have corroborated the December 2025 resignation or the specific circumstances described.brics-news-facebookfacebook.comBulgaria's government just resigned ahead of no-confidence vote2025-12-11 — Bulgaria's government resigned December 11, 2025, ahead of no-confidence vote after weeks of massive protests. PM Rosen Zhelyazkov stepped down Thursday following nationwide demonstrations over controversial 2026 budget proposal critics say concealed corruption. Country has held seven snap elections since 2020.

Despite the formation of a stable government, governance challenges persisted according to international monitors. The European Commission reported in its June 3, 2026 country report that Bulgaria has not established a robust track record in investigating and prosecuting corruption, particularly high-level cases.european-commissionreforms-investments.ec.europa.euEuropean Commission Country Report for Bulgaria 20262026-06-03 — Commission published 2026 country report June 3, 2026. Bulgaria has not set robust track-record in investigating and prosecuting corruption, particularly high-level cases. Anti-corruption commission legal framework repealed in 2026 before new management appointed. Concerns persist about Supreme Judicial Council's independence and effective functioning. The Commission further reported that Bulgaria's anti-corruption commission legal framework was repealed in 2026 before new management was appointed.european-commissionreforms-investments.ec.europa.euEuropean Commission Country Report for Bulgaria 20262026-06-03 — Commission published 2026 country report June 3, 2026. Bulgaria has not set robust track-record in investigating and prosecuting corruption, particularly high-level cases. Anti-corruption commission legal framework repealed in 2026 before new management appointed. Concerns persist about Supreme Judicial Council's independence and effective functioning.

Freedom House published its 2026 report in March, scoring Bulgaria 74 out of 100—down from 77 the previous year.freedom-housefreedomhouse.orgBulgaria: Freedom in the World 2026 Country Report2026-03-01 — Bulgaria scored 74 out of 100 (down from 77 previous year). Political Rights: 30/40, Civil Liberties: 44/60. Status remains 'Free'. Country continues to struggle with political corruption, organized crime, media freedom, and discrimination against ethnic minorities. Bulgaria received 30 out of 40 for Political Rights and 44 out of 60 for Civil Liberties.² Despite the three-point decline, Freedom House continued to classify Bulgaria as "Free."freedom-housefreedomhouse.orgBulgaria: Freedom in the World 2026 Country Report2026-03-01 — Bulgaria scored 74 out of 100 (down from 77 previous year). Political Rights: 30/40, Civil Liberties: 44/60. Status remains 'Free'. Country continues to struggle with political corruption, organized crime, media freedom, and discrimination against ethnic minorities.

The April 2026 election delivered Bulgaria's first single-party parliamentary majority since 1997, formally ending a five-year government-formation crisis documented by both S&P Global Ratings and Wikipedia.s-p-global-ratingsspglobal.comBulgaria Outlook Revised To Positive On Improved Political Stability2026-05-15 — S&P Global Ratings revised outlook on Bulgaria to positive from stable May 15, 2026, affirming 'BBB+/A-2' ratings. First time since 1997 single party secured parliamentary majority. Brings end to Bulgaria's five-year political crisis marked by fragile coalitions and eight parliamentary elections. Previous policy paralysis could reverse given new government's reform plans. The Central Electoral Commission confirmed Progressive Bulgaria's 131-seat absolute majority, and S&P upgraded Bulgaria's outlook to positive in explicit recognition of the crisis's resolution.european-commissionreforms-investments.ec.europa.euEuropean Commission Country Report for Bulgaria 20262026-06-03 — Commission published 2026 country report June 3, 2026. Bulgaria has not set robust track-record in investigating and prosecuting corruption, particularly high-level cases. Anti-corruption commission legal framework repealed in 2026 before new management appointed. Concerns persist about Supreme Judicial Council's independence and effective functioning.

Yet the new government immediately faced parliamentary opposition on fiscal policy: all major opposition parties—GERB, DB, PP, and Revival—voted against the July 15, 2026 budget despite its passage with 143 votes.novinite-comnovinite.comBulgarian Parliament Passes 2026 Budget on First Reading with Record 5.7% Deficit2026-07-15 — Bulgaria's National Assembly adopted draft 2026 state budget on first reading July 15, approving deficit of 5.7% of GDP (€7.191 billion), highest in eurozone. Bill passed with 143 votes in favor, 81 against. Support came only from Progressive Bulgaria and DPS. GERB, DB, PP and Revival voted against. This opposition reflects a fractured political landscape even after the formation of a stable government.s-p-global-ratingsspglobal.comBulgaria Outlook Revised To Positive On Improved Political Stability2026-05-15 — S&P Global Ratings revised outlook on Bulgaria to positive from stable May 15, 2026, affirming 'BBB+/A-2' ratings. First time since 1997 single party secured parliamentary majority. Brings end to Bulgaria's five-year political crisis marked by fragile coalitions and eight parliamentary elections. Previous policy paralysis could reverse given new government's reform plans.

Governance indicators also declined in parallel with the crisis's end. Freedom House downgraded Bulgaria's democracy score from 77 to 74, and the European Commission reported that Bulgaria repealed its anti-corruption commission legal framework in 2026 before appointing new management, noting the absence of a robust track record in high-level corruption prosecutions.²

On the question of post-election dysfunction: the only documented friction after May 8, 2026 is the budget opposition vote in July.novinite-comnovinite.comBulgarian Parliament Passes 2026 Budget on First Reading with Record 5.7% Deficit2026-07-15 — Bulgaria's National Assembly adopted draft 2026 state budget on first reading July 15, approving deficit of 5.7% of GDP (€7.191 billion), highest in eurozone. Bill passed with 143 votes in favor, 81 against. Support came only from Progressive Bulgaria and DPS. GERB, DB, PP and Revival voted against. No coalition collapse, early-election call, or government resignation following Radev's May 8 swearing-in is reported in any available source.² The December 2025 government collapse described by a BRICS News Facebook post predates the current government and remains unverified by credible independent outlets.