Bulgarians vote on Sunday in their third parliamentary election this year, with opinion polls pointing to another inconclusive result that could hamper efforts to tackle high energy prices, a jump in COVID-19 cases and widespread corruption.

Another failure to break a prolonged political impasse and forge a functioning cabinet in the European Union's poorest member state could also potentially slow plans for the country to adopt the euro by 2024.

An election for the largely ceremonial post of president will also be held on Sunday. Polls show incumbent Rumen Radev, 58, is poised to win re-election for a second five-year term after a likely run-off vote on November 21.

Bulgaria has been gripped by political uncertainty since April, when an election ended the decade-long rule of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his centre-right GERB party following massive anti-graft protests against him last year.

Policy differences and rivalry prevented his opponents, the so-called parties of change, from forging a ruling coalition after the April election and another ballot in July.

GERB has seized on the deadlock, rising energy costs and a rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the EU's least vaccinated country - helping it bolster support among party loyalists.

The latest polls give the party backing of 24 per cent, putting it on track to be the biggest in parliament.

But Borissov, 62, a burly former bodyguard of late Communist dictator Todor Zhivkov, is unlikely to find allies to forge a coalition, analysts say.

A new centrist party pledging "zero corruption", set up by two Harvard-educated former interim ministers, is seen as having the biggest chance of steering talks for a new administration with two other anti-graft factions and the Socialists.

Called "We Continue the Change", the new party appears tied with the Socialists for second position, both with support of about 15-16 per cent.

"For the time being, a government around the so-called parties of change, and the Socialists, looks more likely," said analyst Dobromir Zhivkov at the Market Links pollster.

Ivailo Mihailov, a 52-year-old engineer, said he hoped Sunday's election would yield a ruling coalition to address high-level graft in the country - ranked the most corrupt EU member state by Transparency International.

"The judicial system is the biggest problem or rather the lack of justice," he said. "Until we have a politician and leading businessman actually sentenced, nothing good will happen."

Thousands of Bulgarians joined street protests in mid-2020, accusing Borissov of cosying up with the chief prosecutor to benefit local oligarchs and businesses close to his GERB party.

Borissov denies any wrongdoing.

Polls open at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Bulgarians vote on Sunday in their third parliamentary election this year, with opinion polls pointing to another inconclusive result that could hamper efforts to tackle high energy prices, a jump in COVID-19 cases and widespread corruption.

Bulgarians vote on Sunday in their third parliamentary election this year, with opinion polls pointing to another inconclusive result that could hamper efforts to tackle high energy prices, a jump in COVID-19 cases and widespread corruption. Another failure to break a prolonged political impasse and forge a functioning cabinet in the European Union's poorest member state could also potentially slow plans for the country to adopt the euro by 2024. An election for the largely ceremonial post of president will also be held on Sunday. Polls show incumbent Rumen Radev, 58, is poised to win re-election for a second five-year term after a likely run-off vote on November 21. Bulgaria has been gripped by political uncertainty since April, when an election ended the decade-long rule of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and his centre-right GERB party following massive anti-graft protests against him last year. Policy differences and rivalry prevented his opponents, the so-called parties of change, from forging a ruling coalition after the April election and another ballot in July. GERB has seized on the deadlock, rising energy costs and a rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the EU's least vaccinated country - helping it bolster support among party loyalists. The latest polls give the party backing of 24 per cent, putting it on track to be the biggest in parliament. But Borissov, 62, a burly former bodyguard of late Communist dictator Todor Zhivkov, is unlikely to find allies to forge a coalition, analysts say. A new centrist party pledging "zero corruption", set up by two Harvard-educated former interim ministers, is seen as having the biggest chance of steering talks for a new administration with two other anti-graft factions and the Socialists. Called "We Continue the Change", the new party appears tied with the Socialists for second position, both with support of about 15-16 per cent. "For the time being, a government around the so-called parties of change, and the Socialists, looks more likely," said analyst Dobromir Zhivkov at the Market Links pollster. Ivailo Mihailov, a 52-year-old engineer, said he hoped Sunday's election would yield a ruling coalition to address high-level graft in the country - ranked the most corrupt EU member state by Transparency International. "The judicial system is the biggest problem or rather the lack of justice," he said. "Until we have a politician and leading businessman actually sentenced, nothing good will happen." Thousands of Bulgarians joined street protests in mid-2020, accusing Borissov of cosying up with the chief prosecutor to benefit local oligarchs and businesses close to his GERB party. Borissov denies any wrongdoing. Polls open at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT).

Bulgarians vote in third election this year in bid to break deadlock

Anti-riot police guarding the Bulgarian parliament weathered smokebombs, firecrackers and stones on Wednesday as the latest in two months of anti-government protests took a violent turn, with at least 55 people hurt and nearly 100 arrested.

The rally outside parliament came during a long, tense day in which a controversial draft for a new constitution was proposed in a bid to end the protests that call for the Prime Minister Boyko Borissov to resign for alleged corruption and protecting oligarchs.

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In picture: Thousands of&nbsp;Bulgarians rallied in front of the parliament in Sofia calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov/Reuters

Tensions rose in the late hours after some protesters threw over 100 small bombs and firecrackers at police. Officers brought a water cannon and cordoned off the square in front of the parliament. Some 60 people were arrested, police said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bulgarias-borissov-demands-resignation-of-mafia-type-government-amid-anti-corruption-protests-312608">Bulgaria's Borissov demands resignation of 'mafia' type government amid anti-corruption protests</a>

Protest leaders appealed for a peaceful rally and said provocateurs attacked the police. Earlier on Wednesday scuffles broke out between protesters and police, who fired pepper spray and arrested 35 people.

Protesters threw eggs, apples and garbage. They also shook police vehicles, and about 100 officers were affected by pepper spray aimed at them by protesters, Sofia Police Chief Georgi Hadzhiev said. Health officials said some 45 people including police officers, were treated in hospitals.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fourth-night-of-anti-government-protests-in-bulgaria-312849">Fourth night of anti-government protests in Bulgaria</a>

The rally took place on the first sitting of parliament after summer recess. Protesters called it the "Grand National Uprising" in response the government's plan for a new constitution.

Protesters accuse three-times premier Borissov and Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev of failing to fight the corruption that erodes the rule of law and benefits powerful tycoons in the European Union's poorest country.

In parliament, President Rumen Radev called for the resignation of Borissov's centre-right government and appealed to deputies to dismiss plans for a new constitution.

"It was not the lack of new constitution that brought the people on the streets, but the lack of morality in the leadership, the erosion of statehood and the corruption," he said.

Borissov has pledged to resign if parliament approves his call for the election of a grand national assembly that would vote on a new constitution that should improve the independence of the judiciary and halve the number of deputies.&nbsp;

Protesters and opposition parties have dismissed the proposal as a ploy aimed at keeping Borissov, 61, in office longer as the vote on whether&nbsp;Bulgaria&nbsp;should have a new constitution may take place in November at the earliest.

The ruling coalition, undaunted by the protests, said it was starting debates for a new main law in the parliament, although for the time being it does not have enough votes to push ahead with its plan.

Anti-riot police guarding the Bulgarian parliament weathered smokebombs, firecrackers and stones on Wednesday as the latest in two months of anti-government protests took a violent turn, with at least 55 people hurt and nearly 100 arrested.

Anti-riot police guarding the Bulgarian parliament weathered smokebombs, firecrackers and stones on Wednesday as the latest in two months of anti-government protests took a violent turn, with at least 55 people hurt and nearly 100 arrested. The rally outside parliament came during a long, tense day in which a controversial draft for a new constitution was proposed in a bid to end the protests that call for the Prime Minister Boyko Borissov to resign for alleged corruption and protecting oligarchs. In picture: Thousands of Bulgarians rallied in front of the parliament in Sofia calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov/Reuters Tensions rose in the late hours after some protesters threw over 100 small bombs and firecrackers at police. Officers brought a water cannon and cordoned off the square in front of the parliament. Some 60 people were arrested, police said. Also read: Bulgaria's Borissov demands resignation of 'mafia' type government amid anti-corruption protests Protest leaders appealed for a peaceful rally and said provocateurs attacked the police. Earlier on Wednesday scuffles broke out between protesters and police, who fired pepper spray and arrested 35 people. Protesters threw eggs, apples and garbage. They also shook police vehicles, and about 100 officers were affected by pepper spray aimed at them by protesters, Sofia Police Chief Georgi Hadzhiev said. Health officials said some 45 people including police officers, were treated in hospitals. Also read: Fourth night of anti-government protests in Bulgaria The rally took place on the first sitting of parliament after summer recess. Protesters called it the "Grand National Uprising" in response the government's plan for a new constitution. Protesters accuse three-times premier Borissov and Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev of failing to fight the corruption that erodes the rule of law and benefits powerful tycoons in the European Union's poorest country. In parliament, President Rumen Radev called for the resignation of Borissov's centre-right government and appealed to deputies to dismiss plans for a new constitution. "It was not the lack of new constitution that brought the people on the streets, but the lack of morality in the leadership, the erosion of statehood and the corruption," he said. Borissov has pledged to resign if parliament approves his call for the election of a grand national assembly that would vote on a new constitution that should improve the independence of the judiciary and halve the number of deputies. Protesters and opposition parties have dismissed the proposal as a ploy aimed at keeping Borissov, 61, in office longer as the vote on whether Bulgaria should have a new constitution may take place in November at the earliest. The ruling coalition, undaunted by the protests, said it was starting debates for a new main law in the parliament, although for the time being it does not have enough votes to push ahead with its plan.

Bulgaria: Police, anti-government protesters clash in Sofia

Bulgarian Prime Minister&nbsp;Boyko Borissov has urged the European Union (EU) countries to agree and coordinate on a health protocol as the EU national leaders met for the third day today to come up with an economic recovery plan.

Borissov believes that it is important for leaders to agree on protocols and plans as the upcoming weeks will prove out to be crucial with respect to the coronavirus pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leaders-extend-summit-as-they-grapple-over-coronavirus-recovery-plan-314359">Also read:&nbsp;EU leaders extend summit as they grapple over coronavirus, recovery plan</a>

"We are convinced the European Union needs a united health protocol... We should concentrate in the coming six months where this will be the most difficult part (of pandemic)," Borissov told reporters ahead of another round of EU budget talks here.

The talks have been organised as the actions were disjointed in the beginning of the pandemic as every EU nation acted independently.

The pandemic, which has spawned economic mayhem worldwide, also saw the G20 nations consider extending debt relief for coronavirus-hit poor countries in the second half of 2020.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has urged the European Union (EU) countries to agree and coordinate on a health protocol as the EU national leaders met for the third day today to come up with an economic recovery plan.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has urged the European Union (EU) countries to agree and coordinate on a health protocol as the EU national leaders met for the third day today to come up with an economic recovery plan. Borissov believes that it is important for leaders to agree on protocols and plans as the upcoming weeks will prove out to be crucial with respect to the coronavirus pandemic. Also read: EU leaders extend summit as they grapple over coronavirus, recovery plan "We are convinced the European Union needs a united health protocol... We should concentrate in the coming six months where this will be the most difficult part (of pandemic)," Borissov told reporters ahead of another round of EU budget talks here. The talks have been organised as the actions were disjointed in the beginning of the pandemic as every EU nation acted independently. The pandemic, which has spawned economic mayhem worldwide, also saw the G20 nations consider extending debt relief for coronavirus-hit poor countries in the second half of 2020.

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov urges EU leaders to agree on COVID-19 health protocol

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Bulgarians vote in third election this year in bid to break deadlock

Bulgaria: Police, anti-government protesters clash in Sofia

Bulgarian PM Boyko Borissov urges EU leaders to agree on COVID-19 health protocol