Democratic Bulgaria
Bulgarian political party
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Democratic Bulgaria (DB, Bulgarian: Демократична България, romanized: Demokratichna Balgariya, ДБ) is a political alliance and a Parliamentary group in Bulgaria. Founded on 12 April 2018 as an electoral alliance between three political parties – DaB, DSB and the Green Movement.[9] It merged into PP–DB in 2023,[10] however in April 2026 PP and DB formed two separate groups in Parliament.[11] The Green Movement left PP–DB in 2024,[12] but DaB and DSB maintain close relations and brand themselves as "Democratic Bulgaria".
Democratic Bulgaria Демократична България | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | DB |
| Leaders | Ivaylo Mirchev Bozhidar Bozhanov Atanas Atanasov |
| Founders | Hristo Ivanov Atanas Atanasov |
| Founded | 12 April 2018 |
| Preceded by | Reformist Bloc |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre-right[7][8] |
| National affiliation | PP–DB (2023–2026) |
| European affiliation | European People's Party[a] |
| Colours | Blue White Green Red |
| National Assembly | 21 / 240 |
| European Parliament | 1 / 17 |
| Website | |
| demokrati.bg | |
History
The creation of Democratic Bulgaria was officially announced through the symbolic signing of a declaration entitled "A Democratic Bulgaria Can Do More". The three parties united after several months of talks on cooperation during the next general election.[13][14] In its manifesto, the union set out its main goals, including to be an alternative to the current government and to consolidate Bulgaria's democratic values and Euro-Atlantic choices.[15]
Structure
The Democratic Bulgaria structure has two co-leaders – Hristo Ivanov of Yes, Bulgaria! and Atanas Atanasov of Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria. The leaders of The Greens – Vladislav Panev and Borislav Sandov – also participate in the union's council.[16]
At the Congress of Yes, Bulgaria!, Hristo Ivanov proposed the formation of a joint board between the three DB member parties in order to coordinate decision making between the three parties, with PP similarly invited.[17]
Composition
| Party | Abbr. | Founded | Leader | Ideology | MPs | MEPs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes, Bulgaria! Да, България! |
DaB! | 7 January 2017 | Hristo Ivanov | Liberalism Anti-corruption Pro-Europeanism |
14 / 240 |
0 / 17 | |
| Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria Демократи за силна България |
DSB | 30 May 2004 | Atanas Atanasov | Liberal conservatism Pro-Europeanism Anti-communism |
6 / 240 |
1 / 17 | |
Political positions
Finance
Some of DB's priorities are Bulgaria's Eurozone and Banking union membership, a reduction of budget spending to 1/3 of the GDP, as well as taxation reform, with a reduction of VAT from 20% to 18% and a non-taxable minimum of the income tax.[18]
Defense
In the sphere of defense, the party seeks public support of the Armed Forces using the Social contract of defensive politics.[19]
Presidential endorsement
For the 2021 Bulgarian presidential election, DB supported the election bid of Lozan Panov, the chairman of the Bulgarian supreme court.[20]
Election results
2019 European Parliament election
In order to select its candidates, Yes, Bulgaria! conducted a remote preliminary election. Those willing to vote could do it digitally using the mobile app of Yes, Bulgaria! or by mail.[21] All members of Yes, Bulgaria! had the right to participate, together with everyone who received an invitation from a current party member.[21] The electoral process began on 27 November 2018, and the final results were declared on 11 February 2019. A total of 5898 people voted, and the candidate with the most votes was Stefan Tafrov, a diplomat and former ambassador.[22]
The candidate of Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria for the European elections Svetoslav Malinov was selected through a resolution during the party's National Congress on 12 November 2018.[23] Malinov has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2009 as a member of the European People's Party.[23]
On February 22, 2019, The Greens announced their primary candidate for the elections – Albena Simeonova – an environmentalist and entrepreneur in the sphere of bio agriculture. She was elected through an online vote on the website of the party.[24]
Democratic Bulgaria eventually won one seat in the 2019 European Parliament election, which went to DSB member Radan Kanev.[25][26]
2019 Local elections
Local elections were held across Bulgaria on 27 October 2019, with Democratic Bulgaria failing to win a single mayoral contest, but far exceeding expectations in the capital Sofia, where they won 8 out of 25 districts, including most of the city center.[27] The results were seen as a serious setback for the ruling party GERB, which had until then maintained a strong hold on the capital, winning 23 out of 25 districts in 2015.[28]
Electoral history
National Assembly
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2021 | 302,280 | 9.45 (#5) | 27 / 240 |
New | Snap election |
| Jul 2021 | 345,331 | 12.64 (#4) | 34 / 240 |
 7 |
Snap election |
| Nov 2021 | 166,966 | 6.37 (#6) | 16 / 240 |
 18 |
Coalition |
| 2022 | 186,511 | 7.45 (#6) | 20 / 240 |
4 |
Snap election |
| 2023 | PP–DB | 26 / 240 |
6 |
Coalition | |
| Jun 2024 | 17 / 240 |
9 |
Snap election | ||
| Oct 2024 | 18 / 240 |
1 |
Opposition | ||
| 2026 | 21 / 240 |
3 |
Opposition | ||
European Parliament
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 118,484 | 6.06 (#5) | 1 / 17 |
New |