The election of the delegation from Bulgaria to the European Parliament was held on Sunday, 7 June 2009. As a result of the Treaty of Nice – that became active in November 2004 – the number of Bulgarian delegates in the European Parliament decreased from 18 (in 2007) to 17 delegates. When the Treaty of Lisbon was ratified, the number of Bulgarian Delegates increased to 18 again, giving a second seat to the Blue Coalition.

Background

This election is the first one, in which Bulgaria elects MEP for the full five-year term. Most political analysts viewed these elections as a rehearsal to the 2009 Bulgarian parliamentary election. It was speculated that if similar results were obtained on the latter elections, that the formation of government would be extremely difficult. This did not turn out to be the case.

Opinion polls

Results

Elected MEPs

The following 18 MEP were elected: 5 MEPs from GERB that joined the European People's Party group: 4 MEPs from the Coalition for Bulgaria that joined the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats: 3 MEPs from Movement for Rights and Freedoms that joined the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group: 2 MEPs from Attack that sat as Non-inscrits: 2 MEPs from National Movement for Stability and Progress that joined the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group: 1 MEP from Union of Democratic Forces that joined the European People's Party group: 1 MEP from Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria that joined the European People's Party group: