Democratic Bulgaria demands CEC resignations over election ruling

The Democratic Bulgaria (DB) coalition has called for the resignation of Central Election Commission (CEC) members representing the Progressive Bulgaria and Vazrazhdane quotas. The demand follows a CEC decision that found no administrative violation in Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s appeal in support of Iliana Yotova.

The controversy stems from a statement by Radev that was distributed through the Council of Ministers’ communication channels. Despite 105 signals being filed regarding the incident, the CEC ruled 8 to 7 that the remarks did not constitute illegal election propaganda, noting the statement was made after the first round of elections and the Prime Minister is not a candidate in the presidential race.

DB co-chairman Bozhidar Bozhanov criticized the commission, stating that the CEC must remain an independent body and not act as a department of the Council of Ministers. MP Alexandra Sterkova further alleged that commission members attempted to avoid a substantive review of the signals, opting instead for a response that would not be subject to judicial control.