Bulgaria’s Municipal Elections: Stress Test for the Governing Coalition?

Bulgaria faces two rounds of municipal elections on October 29 and November 5 that may have a far-reaching impact on its recently regained governmental stability.

The vote may complicate the dynamics between the government coalition partners—Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) and We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (PP–DB)—as they are the main competitors at the municipal level. The outcome will set the stage for the two parties’ future strategic positioning, including with regard to the rotation of the prime minister between them in March 2024 according to their coalition agreement.

Opinion polls indicate a possible political shift in Sofia, where GERB has been in power for 14 years. Will the party lose its stronghold in the capital? Will the results challenge the influence of the old parties in numerous municipalities? Will the vote reshape the party landscape and threaten the government’s stability? What strategies might the key parties follow in the aftermath of the elections and what will their implications be?

Our expert panelists will provide insightful analysis of the elections results, shedding light on key trends, party dynamics, and their potential impact on local governance and national politics.

For more information, please contact Asya Metodieva ([email protected]) or Dimitar Keranov ([email protected]).

The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a nonpartisan policy organization committed to the idea that the United States and Europe are stronger together.