Bulgaria’s Borissov Wins Vote But Lacks Clear Path to Power

Ex-prime minister Boyko Borissov gets 23% of the votes
Sixth vote in three years may not be the end of turmoil

Boyko Borissov casts a ballot at a polling station during the snap election in Bankya, Bulgaria, on June 9.Photographer: Georgi Paleykov/NurPhoto/Getty Images

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By Slav Okov

June 9, 2024 at 5:03 PM UTC

Updated on

June 10, 2024 at 5:41 AM UTC

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Bulgaria’s powerful former prime minister Boyko Borissov won the country’s sixth election in just over three years, but will fall short of a majority needed to end a political deadlock.

Borissov’s conservative Gerb party secured 23% of the vote on Sunday, according to preliminary results, with 51% of the ballots counted. His main challenger, a bloc of parties campaigning on an anti-corruption platform and led by another former premier, Kiril Petkov, followed with about 15%, the same result as two other competitors.