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On paper, Bulgaria is a recent European success story, having finally adopted the euro on the first of January and joined Schengen. But there is a big euro hangover. On the ground, citizens feel impoverished and ignored by the political class.
This profound frustration has set the stage for a bitter showdown between two major figures.
On one side is Boyko Borissov. He is the veteran centre-right leader of the GERB party. While firmly pro-European, he was plagued by scandals during his decade in power, making him the symbol of the entrenched establishment.
Facing him is Rumen Radev, the left-leaning former president who sensationally resigned in January to run for prime minister. Radev is riding a wave of popular anger, campaigning to dismantle the oligarchy. But his vocal opposition to military aid for Ukraine and softer stance on Moscow have left Western allies alarmed.
And although polls show Radev leading Borissov 31% to 21%, neither is close to a majority, leaving the winner to inevitably cobble together a complicated coalition.
The battle for control is fierce. Just weeks before the vote, authorities detained over 200 people for electoral coercion.
The tactics are shocking. Some local officials tricked individuals into believing their state-funded winter heating and hot lunches were personal gifts from politicians.
Sunday is about much more than electing a government. It will determine whether the country can finally address these deep structural problems and rebuild public trust in the political system.
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