Bulgaria’s Constitutional Court has ordered a full recount of the October 2024 parliamentary election results due to voting discrepancies found during an audit. This move threatens the six-seat majority of Former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s coalition government. The political climate remains unstable, with seven elections held since 2021. Additionally, related issues in Romania concerning electoral manipulation have emerged.
On February 26, Bulgaria’s Constitutional Court mandated a full recount of the parliamentary election results from October 2024, following an audit that revealed numerous voting discrepancies. This recount jeopardizes the slender six-seat majority of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who currently leads the coalition government. Allegations of irregularities prompted multiple parties to contest the initial results, and the audit uncovered discrepancies in nearly half of the examined polling places.
The court’s decision to recount may lead to revisions in the allocation of seats within the Bulgarian parliament, which could have significant implications for the stability of the existing government coalition. This announcement occurs amidst a turbulent political climate in Bulgaria, as the country has experienced seven elections since 2021 without establishing a stable governing authority. Boyko Borissov, who heads the conservative-populist Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party, resigned his position in 2021 due to corruption allegations.
The recount takes place concurrently with developments in Romania, where on the same day, presidential candidate Calin Georgescu was charged with crimes related to the recent elections. Georgescu, a pro-Russian candidate who led in the initial round of Romania’s presidential vote, has faced scrutiny after the Constitutional Court annulled the results based on evidence of organized foreign manipulation. As Bulgaria has been supportive of Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale invasion, this topic remains contentious due to the prevalent pro-Russian sentiment in the country and opposition from President Rumen Radev.
The Bulgarian Constitutional Court’s order for a recount highlights significant voting irregularities that could alter the political landscape and affect the fragile coalition government led by Boyko Borissov. With numerous elections failing to yield stability, the recount may impact parliamentary seat allocations. Concurrently, developments in Romania further illustrate the complexities and challenges facing countries in the region regarding electoral integrity and governance.
Original Source: kyivindependent.com
