SOFIA -- The conservative GERB-SDS coalition led by former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov was leading all parties but had only around one-fifth of the vote as counting continued in Bulgaria's sixth election in the past three years, with no sign of an easy path to power for any side.
Turnout appeared to be a record low at just around 32 percent, marking the first time in Bulgaria that participation was higher for the European elections than for the national balloting.
With 93.53 percent of votes for the Bulgarian parliament counted early on June 10 according to the Central Election Commission's official website, GERB-SDS was well ahead of all other parties with 24.63 percent of the vote, in a contest that could bring the populist Borisov -- who has been accused of corruption by the opposition -- back to power.
The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) was second at 15.89 percent. DPS has traditionally represented the Turkish and Muslim population in the country but is now led for the first time by an ethnic Bulgarian billionaire, Delyan Peevski, who has been hit by sanctions for alleged corruption by the United States and Britain.
There has been speculation that GERB-SDS and DPS could seek to form a government, but the partial results so far suggest they would need at least eight or so seats to reach the 121 seats needed for a majority in the legislature.
The reformist We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria coalition (PP-DB), GERB's erstwhile partner in the outgoing coalition government, was third at 14.81 percent.
The pro-Russian Revival party (Vazrazhdane) was in fourth at 14.04 percent.
During the balloting on June 9, Borisov expressed doubts that any party or coalition will be able to form a new government based on early indications of voting.
"From the morning voting, I do not see how a government can be formed after these elections," Borisov said after casting his ballot in Bankya, a small town outside of Sofia.
He added that it did not appear likely that his GERB party would be in line for enough parliamentary seats to do it with any one potential partner and neither would the opposition with its allies.
"Either it's just us [GERB] or nobody, so there is no mathematics in this case," said Borisov, who declined to say who GERB would potentially nominate for prime minister.
With 93.35 percent of the ballots counted, GERB was also leading the concurrent voting for the European Parliament, GERB-SDS had 23.5 percent, ahead of PP-DB at 14.91 percent and Revival with 14.24 percent, and DPS with 13.48 percent.
Regardless of the outcome, Borisov is likely to remain an influential figure and potential power broker in the country.
Borisov has led three governments over the past decade, but his support has weakened amid allegations of corruption, links to oligarchs, and attacks on media freedom.
The reformist PP-DB coalition was expected to see a drop as many supporters deserted the party for its previous partnering with GERB.
PP-DB had agreed to work with its GERB rivals on a common pro-EU platform of ensuring that Bulgaria supports Ukraine's battle against the Russian invasion, but disagreements between leaders of the two parties mean a renewed coalition government appears unlikely.
Among the reasons for the breakup of the PP-DB-GERB partnership has been the PP-DB demand for reforms in the judiciary and in the security services, alleging that they have provided cover for organized crime and that they have not done enough to counter Russian influence.
GERB has been supported by DPS leader Peevski, who has been hit by sanctions for corruption by the United States under the Global Magnitsky Act, a move then matched by Britain. The pro-Ukrainian former media mogul is reportedly one of the richest people in Bulgaria.
SEE ALSO: Former Bulgarian PM Blasts Powerful Oligarch Peevski As The Country's 'Biggest Evil'PP-DB has claimed that GERB and DPS act as one party. "Anytime we had a meeting with Borisov, Peevski was already in the room," former PP-DB Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said.
If Borisov is unable to cobble together a government, another election -- the seventh in three years -- is likely, observers say.
A caretaker government led by Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev was sworn in by parliament on April 9 after being appointed by President Rumen Radev, who also announced the snap general elections for June 9.
Following elections in April last year, Bulgaria had a joint government supported by the pro-West, reformist PP-DB and Borisov’s GERB. They had agreed on an 18-month government with a rotation of prime ministers -- first Denkov from PP-DB and, after nine months, Maria Gabriel from GERB.
Denkov stepped down on March 5 to let GERB lead the government for the following nine months, as agreed. But Gabriel failed to form a government, and on March 27 Denkov also rejected Radev's invitation to try to put together a cabinet.
On March 28, the populist There Is Such a People (ITN) party also declined to attempt to form a government, thus setting up the June 9 election.