Bulgaria

Bulgaria continues to grapple with a protracted cycle of political instability that has seen the country hold multiple snap elections since 2021, severely straining its democratic institutions. While elections are free and competitive, the inability of political parties to form stable, long term coalitions has led to a reliance on caretaker governments and a significant degree of executive drift. Corruption remains a pervasive concern, with international observers frequently citing the slow pace of judicial reform and the influence of powerful oligarchic interests on the political process and media landscape. Although civil liberties are generally respected and the country maintains its commitment to European Union and NATO frameworks, the ongoing legislative paralysis has hampered efforts to address systemic governance issues. The constitutional changes implemented to limit presidential power during government transitions have faced legal challenges, contributing to a sense of institutional friction. Public trust in state institutions is low, and while the core mechanisms of democracy remain functional, the constant state of political flux and the lack of a cohesive policy direction prevent the country from achieving the stability associated with a more robust democratic classification.