Bulgaria’s political transformation during the review period was marked by persistent instability, fragmented party competition and declining public trust. Repeated snap elections failed to produce durable majorities, and low voter turnout reflected growing political disillusionment. Coalition governments were formed out of strategic necessity rather than programmatic coherence. Controversial legislation restricting LGBTQ+ rights raised concerns about civil liberties, while judicial reforms remained contested and weakly implemented.
Economic transformation showed mixed results. Bulgaria maintained low public debt, but fiscal risks and political uncertainty constrained public and private investment. Delays in anti-corruption and judicial reforms led the European Commission to withhold recovery funds, weakening reform momentum. Inflationary pressures and budgetary risks continued to delay eurozone accession with Bulgaria only adopting the Euro in January 2026.
Governance capacity was strained by recurring government breakdowns and limited reform steering. While Bulgaria completed accession to the Schengen area, domestic polarization and unresolved rule-of-law deficits undermined effective policy implementation and international credibility.
