WCC-Democratic Bulgaria, GERB-UDF in tied election race - exit polls

The WCC-Democratic Bulgaria coalition was backed by 25.6% of the votes, as compared to 24.8% for the GERB - UDF coalition, according to exit polls by Gallup International Balkan polling agency quoted by the public television BNT.

Exit polls by Alpha Research polling agency put support for WCC-Democratic Bulgaria at 26.4% versus 25.5% backing for the GERB - UDF coalition.

Five parties crossed the 4% threshold for entry into the 240-seat unicameral parliament, according to Alpha Research.

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), which is drawing support mainly from Bulgarian ethnic Turk and Muslim voters, was third with 13.9%, according to Alpha Research, followed by 13.5% for the staunchly nationalist formation Vazrazhdane (Revival) and 9.2% for the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP).

According to Gallup International Balkan, Vazrazhdane is third with 14.2%, followed by the MRF with 13.1% and BSP with 9.9%.

The only other political formation that has a chance to enter parliament, according to Gallup International Balkan, is the populist There is Such a People (TISP) led by musician and TV show host Slavi Trifonov.

According to domestic and foreign analysts, the continued political uncertainty in the country 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 enduring 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.