Week in Review: A Rollercoaster Ride

Surprise

Bulgaria's April 4 Parliamentary election was always going to produce an interesting result, given the strong polling of several populist or anti-corruption groupings taking part. Yet the final outcome was a surprise to most observers and many of the participants.

While the ruling GERB came first, its vote was much diminished. Yet the traditional opposition, the centre-left BSP, also heavily underperformed, coming third. Arguably, the biggest winner is Slavi Trifonov, the famous Bulgarian singer, entertainer and TV talk show host, whose populist 'There is such a Nation' took one in five votes. GERB looks unlikely to lead the next government, yet the coalition building options do not look appealing.

Read more: Election Surprises End Bulgaria's Political Stability (April 6, 2021)

Watching Closely

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov (R) welcomes North Macedonia's PM Zoran Zaev (L) in Sofia in 2018. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

Aside from Bulgarians, many Macedonians were also closely watching the outcome of the Parliamentary elections in their neighbourhood, perhaps none more so than the members of the ruling coalition in Skopje. After the Borisov Government effectively blocked the beginning of North Macedonia's accession negotiations with the EU, there were high hopes in Skopje that the elections could deliver a government ready to defuse the blockade.

Unfortunately for Skopje, the election result in Bulgaria is not particularly encouraging in this respect. Government formation in Sofia will take time - and it may not happen, forcing an early election instead. Moreover, even the parties likely to come into power do not seem particularly well disposed to compromising with Skopje.

Read more: Bulgaria's...