A Bulgarian think-tank has accused Russia of attempting to influence the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections through a network of disinformation, even as domestic political dynamics appear to be the main driver of voter sentiment.

In a report published on March 11, the Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) said Bulgaria faces sustained “information manipulation pressure” ahead of its April 19 snap election, the eighth parliamentary vote in five years.

The report, titled “Defending the Vote – Policy Responses to Information Warfare in Bulgaria”, describes the EU member state as highly vulnerable to hybrid threats and lacking institutional preparedness to counter them.

“Bulgaria remains among the most vulnerable countries in the European Union when it comes to resisting information threats,” the report said.

Domestic amplification of foreign narratives

According to CSD analysts, the spread of pro-Kremlin narratives in Bulgaria is driven not only by external actors but also by a domestic ecosystem of partisan media, low-quality websites and coordinated social media channels.

The report highlights the role of so-called “balancing” media, which mix legitimate reporting with misleading or manipulative content, allowing disinformation to enter mainstream discourse.

A network referred to as the “Pravda ecosystem”, allegedly linked to a Russian operation known as Portal Kombat, produces nearly 6,000 articles per month in Bulgarian. The content is designed primarily to influence search engines and artificial intelligence systems, amplifying pro-Kremlin messaging across digital platforms.

On Telegram alone, more than 30 channels tied to the network generated over 180 million views in the past year, attracting close to 100,000 subscribers, the report said.

Political uncertainty ahead of vote

The election comes after months of political instability, including the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in December following protests over corruption and a disputed budget. 

Former president Rumen Radev, who stepped down in January after nearly a decade in office, has emerged as the frontrunner after launching his new coalition, Progressive Bulgaria. Polls suggest he may need coalition partners to form a majority government.

Radev has campaigned on an anti-corruption and anti-oligarch platform, pledging to dismantle entrenched elite networks and accelerate economic growth.

The CSD links Russia’s information operations to the electoral environment, but Radev’s popularity is more likely tied to domestic dissatisfaction with corruption and political deadlock, rather than his pro-Russian leanings. 

Public frustration with repeated elections and fragile coalitions has fuelled support for candidates positioning themselves as outsiders to the political establishment.

Radev, who has taken a cautious stance on the war in Ukraine, has opposed sending military aid to Kyiv and questioned the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia, drawing criticism from pro-Western factions.

Social media role

The report pointed to social media as a key vector for disinformation. Facebook remains the dominant platform, used by 82% of internet users, while Telegram, TikTok and YouTube are described as under-monitored channels vulnerable to manipulation.

More than 60% of analysed political content originates from sources with a history of spreading misleading information, the CSD claimed, with some mainstream outlets republishing such material.

As Bulgaria nears its April elections, the report highlights worries among parts of the country’s commentariat regarding Russian influence and the reliability of information in one of the EU’s most politically volatile member states.