Bulgaria’s April elections: Million euro seized so far in police operations against vote-buying

Police have confiscated a million euro so far in operations against vote-buying ahead of Bulgaria’s April 19 2026 early parliamentary elections, Interior Ministry chief secretary Georgi Kandev said on Facebook on April 14.

“One million euro, with which someone decided that they could buy conscience, replace will and steal the future of Bulgaria,” Kandev said.

This is not just a crime. This is a blow to the statehood, he said.

“And let it be very clear that the Ministry of Interior will respond with the same force with which they are trying to distort democracy,” Kandev said.

There will be no umbrella. There will be no untouchables. There will be no compromises, he said.

Do not sell your vote. Do not let them turn you into an instrument. Your choice does not cost money – it costs a future,” he said.

“Democracy is not for sale. And as long as I am the chief secretary of the Ministry of Interior – it will not be.”

The weeks ahead of Bulgaria’s April 2026 elections have been notable for significant increases in arrests and pre-trial proceedings for vote-buying, compared with previous elections, with caretaker Prime Minister Andrei Gyurov and his interim administration having pledged to ensure the integrity of the vote.

(Photo: Interior Ministry)