The first exit polls from polling agencies give victory in the presidential run-off to Iliana Iotova and Kiril Valchev. Asen Vasilev, leader of We Continue the Change (PP), spoke to reporters on election night.
"This vote is a red card for a government that is failing on prices, on incomes and on the fight against oligarchy," Vasilev said. He said Bulgaria has "a president who is in effect a rubber stamp and does not even use a veto".
Vasilev said people should wait for the final results. He thinks the gap with Andrey Gyurov, the other run-off candidate, will be much smaller, but he does not expect a different winner.
Progressive Bulgaria, Revival, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and Greatness backed Iotova. Earlier, together, they won almost 1,800,000 votes. The exit poll gives her about 900,000 to 1,000,000 votes, some 800,000 fewer than the parties behind her.
Turnout is 30%, which Vasilev said is among the lowest ever. He thinks the campaign did not get enough people out to vote. PP has about 400,000 votes, and Gyurov may have doubled that, he said.
Vasilev said the results disprove two claims about the ruling coalition. As many people voted for GERB as in the first round. The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) is not decisive for either candidate: about a third of its voters turned out, just over half of them for Gyurov and about 40% for Iotova.
Prime minister Rumen Radev said earlier today that the 2027 budget will go to parliament in the coming days. Vasilev wants people to see it as soon as possible. If it hurts business and people, PP will push for changes or use every means in and outside parliament, he said.
With its 131 votes, the ruling majority ignores the trade unions, employers and the opposition, Vasilev said. The PP leader thinks people unhappy with the budget may take to the streets.