Bulgaria's GERB-UDF clinches narrow election win - prelim official results

The GERB-UDF coalition was backed by 26.7% of voters against 24.7% for the WCC-Democratic Bulgaria coalition, according to figures published by the Central Election Commission, based on 81% of the ballots counted.

Six parties crossed the 4% threshold for entry into the 240-seat unicameral parliament, as the formation of a stable government after the election, the country's fifth vote in two years, would again be very challenging task, according to analysts.

The continued political uncertainty is jeopardising the passing of much-needed legislation to facilitate EU funds absorption under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the country's accession to the euro zone and the Schengen area. The political crisis left Bulgaria without a budget for 2023, as the caretaker government has been working according to the provisions of last year's budget.

According to the preliminary official results, the staunchly nationalist formation Vazrazhdane (Revival) garnered nearly 15% of the votes, followed by the movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), which is drawing support mainly from Bulgarian ethnic Turk and Muslim voters, with 13% and the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) with 9%.

The only other political formation to enter parliament is the populist There is Such a People (TISP) led by musician and TV show host Slavi Trifonov with 4.25% support.