GERB

GERB
source
Name	GERB
Native name	Граждани за европейско развитие на България
Colorcode	#0054A4
Foundation	3 December 2006
Founder	Boyko Borisov
Headquarters	Sofia, Bulgaria
Ideology	Conservatism, Liberal conservatism, Pro-Europeanism
Position	Centre-right
European	European People's Party
Europarl	European People's Party Group
Colours	Blue, white
Seats1 title	National Assembly
Seats1	69, 240
Seats2 title	European Parliament
Seats2	6, 17
Seats3 title	Mayors
Seats3	94

GERB, officially Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria, is a major centre-right political party in Bulgaria. Founded in 2006 by former Sofia mayor and firefighter Boyko Borisov, it has dominated the country's political landscape, frequently leading governments since 2009. The party is a member of the European People's Party and its European Parliament delegation sits with the European People's Party Group.

History

GERB was officially registered on 3 December 2006, emerging from the personal popularity of its founder, Boyko Borisov, who had served as Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Interior and Mayor of Sofia. The party's first major electoral test was the 2007 European Parliament election, where it secured a plurality of votes. Its decisive breakthrough came in the 2009 parliamentary election, where it won a decisive victory, leading to the first government headed by Boyko Borisov. Throughout the 2010s, GERB alternated in power with the Bulgarian Socialist Party, forming several administrations including the Second Borisov Government and the Third Borisov Government. The party's tenure has been marked by periods of stability but also significant public protests, such as the 2020–2021 demonstrations against corruption.

Ideology and political positions

GERB positions itself as a conservative and liberal conservative party, advocating for market-oriented economics, a strong national defense, and traditional values. It is staunchly pro-European, supporting Bulgaria's membership in the European Union and NATO, and advocates for deeper integration within the Eurozone and the Schengen Area. On social policy, the party generally takes a moderate conservative stance, though it has supported some progressive initiatives under EU pressure. Its ideological framework is often described as pragmatic and populist, focusing on stability and security, which has appealed to a broad segment of the Bulgarian electorate.

Electoral performance

GERB has consistently been the most successful party in Bulgarian elections since 2009. It won the 2009, 2014, and 2017 parliamentary elections, typically forming governments with the support of smaller coalition partners like the Union of Democratic Forces or the Patriotic Front. In the April 2021 and July 2021 snap elections, it finished first but struggled to form a majority, leading to a prolonged political crisis. The party also performs strongly in European elections and local elections, controlling key municipalities including Sofia and Plovdiv.

Leadership and structure

The party has been dominated by its founder and longtime chairman, Boyko Borisov. Other prominent figures include former European Commissioner Maria Gabriel, who serves as Vice-Chairperson, and former Minister of Finance Vladislav Goranov. The party's structure is highly centralized, with significant authority vested in the party chairman and the National Executive Committee. GERB maintains a widespread network of local clubs and organizations across Bulgaria, which are crucial for its grassroots mobilization during electoral campaigns.

Governance and policies

In government, GERB has pursued policies focused on fiscal discipline, maintaining a flat income tax rate, and attracting foreign investment. Key infrastructure projects have been prioritized, such as the construction of the Struma motorway and improvements to the national railway network. The party has also emphasized strengthening border security and modernizing the Bulgarian Armed Forces, aligning closely with NATO objectives. Its administrations have worked on judicial reforms under the cooperation and verification mechanism of the European Commission, though critics have often accused it of insufficiently tackling high-level corruption and protecting oligarchic interests.