The 2024 European Parliament election in Bulgaria was held on 9 June 2024 as part of the 2024 European Parliament election. This was the country’s fifth parliamentary election since its accession to the EU in 2007, and the first to take place after Brexit.[4] Bulgaria also held a separate national parliamentary election that day.
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All 17 Bulgarian seats in the European Parliament | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout |  33.78% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Results by national constituency | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Electoral system
editThe 17 members are elected through semi-open list proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency with seats allocated through largest remainder method. The threshold is the number of valid votes divided by the number of members of the European parliament from Bulgaria,[5] which is roughly 5.9%.[6]
All people who have Bulgarian citizenship and a main residence in Bulgarian, Bulgarian citizens without residence in Bulgaria (Bulgarians abroad) and other Union citizens if their main residence is in Bulgaria are entitled to vote in the European elections in Bulgaria. In addition, those eligible to vote must turn 18 years old by election day at the latest and be registered in the voter register/European voter register of a local Bulgarian administration on the deadline date. Voting is compulsory for Bulgarian citizens but the obligation is not enforced and no penalties are envisaged for those who don't vote.[7]
Outgoing delegation
editThe table shows the detailed composition of the Bulgarian seats at the European Parliament as of 24 January 2024.
| EP Group | Seats | Party | Seats | MEPs | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European People's Party | 7 / 17
|
Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria | 5 | |||
| Union of Democratic Forces | 1 | |||||
| Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria | 1 | |||||
| Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats | 5 / 17
|
Bulgarian Socialist Party | 5 | |||
| Renew Europe | 3 / 17
|
Movement for Rights and Freedoms | 3 | |||
| European Conservatives and Reformists | 2 / 17
|
VMRO – Bulgarian National Movement | 2 | |||
| Total | 17 | |||||
| Source: European Parliament | ||||||
MEPs not standing for re-election
edit| Name | Party | Date announced | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petar Vitanov | PES-affiliated independent politician (ex BSP member) | 24 April 2024 | [8] |
| Ivo Hristov | BSP | 29 April 2024 | [9] |
| Sergey Stanishev | BSP | 30 April 2024 | [10] |
| Aleksandar Yordanov | SDS | 7 May 2024 | [11] |
| Atidzhe Alieva-Veli | DPS | 7 May 2024 |
Running parties
editContesting parties and coalitions
editBelow is the official list of parties and coalitions that registered lists for the European Parliamentary elections.[12]
Campaign
editPP–DB
editPP
editOn 24 January, after internal discussions, PP announced that their lead candidate for the EP elections would be the former Speaker of the 47th National Assembly and current MP, Nikola Minchev.[13]
On 18 March, the PP Executive Committee approved a shortlist of 15 candidates, including Daniel Lorer, Yavor Bozhankov, Hristo Petrov (known more commonly by his rapper name Itso Hazarta), Nastimir Ananiev, Iskren Mitev, Hristo Daskalov and Denitsa Simeonova, some of which will end up in the common PP–DB list.[14]
Following the Congress, PP confirmed their intention to participate in the upcoming election in a joint list with Democratic Bulgaria and presented a list of nominees for the list, which included the figures previously presented by the Executive Committee as well as MPs Iva Ruycheva and Miroslav Mavrov.[15]
Yes, Bulgaria!
editOn 19 February, Yes, Bulgaria!, a member of DB, confirmed that the party would nominate candidates for the European Election list through internal elections.[16]
On the 7 April, "Yes, Bulgaria!" officially set the date for their internal elections between the 16 and 18 of April, with a list of nominees for the position similarly being published. The party also confirmed their intention to participate in the EU elections together with PP.[17]
On the 19 April, the party announced that former Bulgarian Ambassador to the United Nations Stefan Tafrov, an MEP candidate in the previous European elections, had won their internal primary.[18]
DSB
editThe DSB, the other member of DB, is the only constituent party within PP–DB which has an MEP within the outgoing European Parliament, that being Radan Kanev.
On 17 January, Kanev confirmed that he would not be interested in becoming the list leader for a joint PP–DB list, although he did confirm his intention to participate in the upcoming EU elections and stated that he had already been nominated as the lead candidate from DSB.[19]
Revival
editRevival announced their list for the European Elections on the 16 of April, with the list being led by current MP Stanislav Stoyanov.[20] Notably, the second position on the list was held by Petar Volgin, a journalist known for his pro-Russian stances.[21]
DPS
editDPS announced their list for the European Elections on the 6 May, being led by the co-leader of the party, Dzhevdet Chakarov, and including incumbent BSP MEP, Elena Yoncheva.[22]
BSP
editThe Bulgarian Socialist Party announced their list for the European Parliamentary Elections on the 27th of April, being headed by current MP, former MEP and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Kristian Vigenin.[23] Due to disagreements with party leader Korneliya Ninova, none of the party’s current MEPs, with the exception of Tsvetelina Penkova, ended up in the party’s list.
Other parties and independents
editOther parties
editOn the 16 April, VMRO leader, Krasimir Karakachanov, confirmed the party, which currently has two MEPs in the outgoing European Parliament, intended to contest the upcoming European Elections alone.[24] The VMRO list was to be headed by current MEP, Angel Dzhambazki.[25]
Green Movement, a former member of the PP–DB coalition, similarly announced their intention to participate in the twin European-National elections independently. [26]
Solidary Bulgaria, a new electoral alliance between former Sofia mayoral candidate Vanya Grigorova and IS.BG leader Maya Manolova, will contest the European elections.[27]
Independent candidates
editKuzman Iliev, Bulgarian economist and head of the civic organisation "Bulgaria Can", announced his intention to run as an independent on the 14 April 2024.[28]
Opinion polling
edit| Polling firm | Fieldwork date | Sample | GERB—SDS EPP |
BSPzB S&D |
DPS Renew |
VMRO ECR |
PP–DB Renew-EPP[e] |
Revival NI |
ITN ECR[f] |
Blue Bulgaria ECR |
Others | NOTA | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Research | 1-4 June 2024 | 1000 | 25 5 |
7.9 2 |
14.1 3 |
— | 15.9 3 |
15.7 3 |
5.9 1 |
2.9 0 |
12.6[g] | — | 9.1 |
| CAM | 1-4 June 2024 | 821 | 26.2 5 |
8.1 2 |
14.1 3 |
— | 17.7 4 |
14.8 3 |
5.3 0 |
2.1 0 |
— | — | 8.5 |
| Sova Haris | 29 May-3 June 2024 | 1000 | 26.4 6 |
8.9 2 |
14.4 3 |
— | 15.4 3 |
15.3 3 |
5.6 0 |
— | 14 | — | 11 |
| Market Links | 22 May-2 June 2024 | 1004 | 28.8 6 |
8.7 2 |
12.4 3 |
— | 20.2 4 |
11.4 2 |
3.9 0 |
2.2 0 |
7.4[h] | 2.1 | 8.6 |
| TREND | 11–18 May 2024 | 1003 | 25.9 5 |
8.1 2 |
14.6 3 |
1.2 0 |
16.1 4 |
15.1 3 |
5.5 0 |
1.8 0 |
12.4[i] | 5.3 | 9.8 |
| Sova Harris | 8–13 May 2024 | 1000 | 28.3 6 |
10.3 2 |
13.3 3 |
— | 15.8 3 |
15 3 |
5.2 0 |
— | 11.5 | — | 12.5 |
| MarketLinks | 29 April–9 May 2024 | — | 29.4 6 |
9.3 2 |
13.1 3 |
— | 20.6 4 |
12.3 2 |
2.7 0 |
1.7 0 |
6.4[j] | 4.2 | 8.8 |
| Alpha Research | 28 April–5 May 2024 | 1000 | 25.1 5 |
8.0 2 |
14.4 3 |
— | 18.5 4 |
14.8 3 |
4.8 0 |
2.4 0 |
12.0[k] | — | 6.6 |
| Gallup | 22 April–2 May 2024 | 808 | 26.4 5 |
8.2 2 |
14.9 3 |
1.3 0 |
17.5 4 |
14.7 3 |
4.5 0 |
1.4 0 |
11.1[l] | — | 8.9 |
| TREND | 12–19 April 2024 | 1002 | 27.2 5 |
9.4 2 |
15.4 3 |
— | 17.2 4 |
15.3 3 |
5.1 0 |
— | 10.1[m] | — | 10.1 |
| Gallup | 28 March-5 April 2024 | 805 | 28.7 5 |
10.1 2 |
15.3 3 |
— | 18.2 4 |
15.1 3 |
5.5 0 |
— | 9.8 | — | 6.2 |
| IPSOS | N/A | N/A | 27.1 5 |
8.8 2 |
13.0 2 |
— | 20.9 4 |
15.1 3 |
6.1 1 |
— | 8.9[n] | — | 6.2 |
| Alpha Research | 1-7 March 2024 | 1000 | 27.0 5 |
10.6 2 |
10.0 2 |
— | 23.8 5 |
15.8 3 |
5.9 0 |
— | 6.9 | — | 3.2 |
| Market Links | 24 February-3 March 2024 | 1058 | 26.4 5 |
9.7 2 |
14.0 3 |
— | 22.7 4 |
13.5 3 |
3.8 0 |
— | 6.1 | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| 2019 election | 26 May 2019 | — | 30.4 6 |
23.5 5 |
16.1 3 |
7.1 2 |
5.9[o] 1 |
1.0 0 |
— | — | 2.6 | 4.1 | 6.9 |
Results
edit
Parliamentary groups
edit| Parliamentary Group | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
6 / 17
| ||
5 / 17
| ||
3 / 17
| ||
2 / 17
| ||
1 / 17
| ||
Petkov government
editNotes
edit- ^ PP–DB is an electoral alliance which includes parties with different European affiliations. PP had expressed interest in joining Renew Europe prior to the election,[1] while DB, which itself is an alliance of two parties, features the DSB party, a member of the EPP. Additionally, DaB!, the other member of DB, had also applied for EPP membership prior to the election.[2] The PP–DB alliance ran united at the election but its elected MEPs were seated in different parliamentary groups.
- ^ ITN, despite not being a member of the ECR party, had repeatedly reaffirmed its intention to join the ECR Group throughout the election campaign.[3] Its elected MEP Ivaylo Valchev was granted a spot in the group following the election results.
- ^ Results with New Time Party.
- ^ Results with of Vanya Grigorova as an Independent Candidate.
- ^ PP–DB is an electoral alliance, including parties with different european affiliations. PP has expressed interest in joining Renew Europe,[29] while MEP Radan Kanev from DSB sits in the EPP Group and DaB! is considering applying for EPP membership.[30]
- ^ ITN, despite not being an official member yet, has announced its intention to join the ECR Group.[31]
- ^ Includes Solidary Bulgaria at 2.3, winning no seats
- ^ Includes, CENTER at 2% and Solidary Bulgaria at 1.7% , all winning no seats
- ^ Includes, Solidary Bulgaria at 2.1%, Left at 1.2%, BV at 1.2%, all winning no seats
- ^ Includes, Solidary Bulgaria at 2.5% winning no seats
- ^ Includes, Solidary Bulgaria at 2.3%, Levitsata! at 1.9%, and Bulgarian Rise at 1.2%, all winning no seats
- ^ Includes, Solidary Bulgaria at 2.2%, winning no seats
- ^ Includes BV and Levitsata!, both at 1.8% and winning no seats
- ^ Includes BV at 2.9% and Levitsata! at 2.2%, both winning no seats
- ^ Democratic Bulgaria only
References
edit- ^ "PP is getting closer to DPS and the European liberal family" (in Bulgarian). 29 June 2023.
- ^ ""Yes, Bulgaria" is taking a turn to the right" (in Bulgarian). 2 December 2023.
- ^ "Bulgarian populists keen to join EU conservative bloc". 4 December 2023.
- ^ "2024 European elections: National rules Infographic" (PDF). European Parliament.
- ^ Изборен Кодекс [Electoral Code] (Annex № 3, Article II & III). 2016. p. 225. Retrieved 5 December 2023 – via Venice Commission.
- ^ Oelbermann, Kai Friederike; Pukelsheim, Friedrich (July 2020). "The European Elections of May 2019" (PDF). europarl.europa.eu. p. 14.
- ^ "How to vote in Bulgaria". European Parliament.
- ^ "Петър Витанов: Цяло чудо ще е, ако БСП вкара двама евродепутати". Mediapool (in Bulgarian). 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Иво Христов: Българският политически модел трябва да бъде зареден с ново доверие". BNR (in Bulgarian). 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Станишев няма да участва в евровота, някои кандидати на БСП били по-скоро за листата на "Възраждане"". Dnes (in Bulgarian). 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Мария Габриел, Александър Йорданов и българската еврокомисарка - извън играта за изборите (ОБНОВЕНА)". ClubZ (in Bulgarian). 7 May 2024.
- ^ "Кандидати за ЕП".
- ^ "Официално: Никола Минчев ще е водач на листата на ПП на евроизборите". BTV (in Bulgarian). 24 January 2024.
- ^ "Лорер и Ицо Хазарта в списъка на ПП за евроизборите". Dnes (in Bulgarian). 18 March 2024.
- ^ "Ето кого предлагат за евролистата си "Продължаваме Промяната"". 24цчаса (in Bulgarian). 31 March 2024.
- ^ ""Да, България!" ще излъчи кандидатите си за депутати в ЕП чрез вътрешни избори". 24chasa (in Bulgarian). 19 February 2024.
- ^ "Kандидатите на ДБ ще се определят с вътрешни избори". 24chasa (in Bulgarian). 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Стефан Тафров спечели вътрешнопартийните избори на "Да, България!" за евроизборите". 24chasa (in Bulgarian). 19 April 2024.
- ^ "Радан Кънев: Няма да се боря за водаческото място в обща листа на ПП-ДБ за евроизборите". BNT (in Bulgarian). 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Станислав Стоянов оглавява евролистата на "Възраждане"". Banker (in Bulgarian). 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Петър Волгин ще е втори в евролистата на „Възраждане"". Breaking.bg (in Bulgarian). 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Пеевски повежда листите на ДПС в Кърджали и Благоевград, Чакъров става водач на евролистата". Dnevnik.bg (in Bulgarian). 6 May 2024.
- ^ "Двама журналисти в червената евролиста - Александър Симов и Велизар Енчев". Epicenter.bg (in Bulgarian). 27 April 2024.
- ^ "Каракачанов: На тези избори ще се явим самостоятелно". Novini (in Bulgarian). 16 April 2024.
- ^ "ВМРО: Контрера е водач в 23 и 24 МИР в София, Джамбазки поема евролиста и 25 МИР". 24chasa (in Bulgarian). 4 May 2024.
- ^ "„Зелено движение" ще се яви на изборите без ПП-ДБ". Btv (in Bulgarian). 15 April 2024.
- ^ Епицентър. "Ваня Григорова, Кристиан Вигенин и Валери Жаблянов повеждат три отделни леви евролисти". Epicenter (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Кузман Илиев: Ще участвам като независим кандидат на европейските избори". BTA.bg (in Bulgarian). 14 April 2024.
- ^ "PP is getting closer to DPS and the European liberal family" (in Bulgarian). 29 June 2023.
- ^ ""Yes, Bulgaria" is taking a turn to the right" (in Bulgarian). 2 December 2023.
- ^ "Bulgarian populists keen to join EU conservative bloc". 4 December 2023.