site.btaAbout 21% of Bulgarians Believe Elections Are Free and Fair, 49% Doubt That

Only 13% of Bulgarians believe that this country is governed by the will of the people. A majority of 61% disagree and 22% are undecided. Confidence in the elections is also at critical levels - 21% believe they are free and fair, 49% are of the opposite opinion, 20% neither agree nor reject the statement, and the rest could not answer. This is according to a new survey on democracy conducted by the global association Gallup International in 43 countries around the world and representative of about half of the world's population.

In Bulgaria, public perceptions show that democracy retains its image as the best possible governance model, despite shortcomings - 51% of Bulgarians surveyed think so. However, 19% disagree and about a quarter of the population in the country is undecided (24%). Few could not answer.

Regarding the perception of democracy as a type of government, Bulgaria is positioned at levels average for the European Union and close to its neighbours. However, trust in the basic conditions of democracy has been seriously damaged, especially in recent years, and this places Bulgaria among societies with eroded trust in the foundations of democratic governance.