The 17 members are elected through semi-open listproportional representation in a single nationwide constituency with seats allocated through largest remainder method. The threshold is the number of valid votes divided by the number of members of the European parliament from Bulgaria,[5] which is roughly 5.9%.[6]
All people who have Bulgarian citizenship and a main residence in Bulgarian, Bulgarian citizens without residence in Bulgaria (Bulgarians abroad) and other Union citizens if their main residence is in Bulgaria are entitled to vote in the European elections in Bulgaria. In addition, those eligible to vote must turn 18 years old by election day at the latest and be registered in the voter register/European voter register of a local Bulgarian administration on the deadline date. Voting is compulsory for Bulgarian citizens but the obligation is not enforced and no penalties are envisaged for those who don't vote.[7]
On 24 January, after internal discussions, PP announced that their lead candidate for the EP elections would be the former Speaker of the 47th National Assembly and current MP, Nikola Minchev.[13]
Following the Congress, PP confirmed their intention to participate in the upcoming election in a joint list with Democratic Bulgaria and presented a list of nominees for the list, which included the figures previously presented by the Executive Committee as well as MPs Iva Ruycheva and Miroslav Mavrov.[15]
Yes, Bulgaria!
On 19 February, Yes, Bulgaria!, a member of DB, confirmed that the party would nominate candidates for the European Election list through internal elections.[16]
On the 7 April, "Yes, Bulgaria!" officially set the date for their internal elections between the 16 and 18 of April, with a list of nominees for the position similarly being published. The party also confirmed their intention to participate in the EU elections together with PP.[17]
On the 19 April, the party announced that former Bulgarian Ambassador to the United NationsStefan Tafrov, an MEP candidate in the previous European elections, had won their internal primary.[18]
DSB
The DSB, the other member of DB, is the only constituent party within PP–DB which has an MEP within the outgoing European Parliament, that being Radan Kanev.
On 17 January, Kanev confirmed that he would not be interested in becoming the list leader for a joint PP–DB list, although he did confirm his intention to participate in the upcoming EU elections and stated that he had already been nominated as the lead candidate from DSB.[19]
Revival
Revival announced their list for the European Elections on the 16 of April, with the list being led by current MP Stanislav Stoyanov.[20] Notably, the second position on the list was held by Petar Volgin, a journalist known for his pro-Russian stances.[21]
DPS
DPS announced their list for the European Elections on the 6 May, being led by the co-leader of the party, Dzhevdet Chakarov, and including incumbent BSP MEP, Elena Yoncheva.[22]
On the 16 April, VMRO leader, Krasimir Karakachanov, confirmed the party, which currently has two MEPs in the outgoing European Parliament, intended to contest the upcoming European Elections alone.[24] The VMRO list was to be headed by current MEP, Angel Dzhambazki.[25]
Green Movement, a former member of the PP–DB coalition, similarly announced their intention to participate in the twin European-National elections independently. [26]
Kuzman Iliev, Bulgarian economist and head of the civic organisation "Bulgaria Can", announced his intention to run as an independent on the 14 April 2024.[28]
^PP–DB is an electoral alliance which includes parties with different European affiliations. PP had expressed interest in joining Renew Europe prior to the election,[1] while DB, which itself is an alliance of two parties, features the DSB party, a member of the EPP. Additionally, DaB!, the other member of DB, had also applied for EPP membership prior to the election.[2] The PP–DB alliance ran united at the election but its elected MEPs were seated in different parliamentary groups.
^ITN, despite not being a member of the ECR party, had repeatedly reaffirmed its intention to join the ECR Group throughout the election campaign.[3] Its elected MEP Ivaylo Valchev was granted a spot in the group following the election results.
^PP–DB is an electoral alliance, including parties with different european affiliations. PP has expressed interest in joining Renew Europe,[29] while MEPRadan Kanev from DSB sits in the EPP Group and DaB! is considering applying for EPP membership.[30]
^ITN, despite not being an official member yet, has announced its intention to join the ECR Group.[31]
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