GERB facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria
Граждани за европейско развитие на България
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| Abbreviation | GERB |
| Leader | Boyko Borisov |
| Founded | 3 December 2006 |
| Split from | National Movement Simeon II |
| Headquarters | Sofia |
| Membership (2018) | 94,000 |
| Ideology |
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| Political position | Centre-right |
| National affiliation | GERB—SDS |
| European affiliation | European People's Party |
| International affiliation |
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| European Parliament group | European People's Party |
| Colours | Blue |
| National Assembly |
67 / 240
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| European Parliament |
5 / 17
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| Municipalities |
101 / 265
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| Party flag | |
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GERB, which stands for Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (Bulgarian: Граждани за европейско развитие на България), is a big political party in Bulgaria. It is known for its conservative and populist ideas. This party was in charge of Bulgaria for several years, from 2009 to 2013 and again from 2016 to 2021.
Contents
History of GERB
GERB was started in 2006. It grew out of a non-profit group with the same name. The party's leader is Boyko Borisov. He used to be the Prime Minister of Bulgaria and the mayor of Sofia, the capital city.
When GERB first started, it quickly became popular. In early 2007, public surveys showed it was the second most supported party in Bulgaria. Its main goals were to fight crime and corruption, protect family values, and help Bulgaria become energy independent.
GERB's First Wins
GERB won its first big election in 2009. This was for the European Parliament, which is like a big council for countries in Europe. GERB got about 24% of the votes and sent five members to the European Parliament. They joined a group called the European People's Party.
A month later, in July 2009, GERB also won the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria. They received almost 40% of the votes and won 116 out of 240 seats in the National Assembly. After this win, Boyko Borisov became the Prime Minister, leading a new government mostly made up of GERB members.
In 2011, GERB's candidates, Rosen Plevneliev and Margarita Popova, won the presidential election. Rosen Plevneliev became the President of Bulgaria.
Changes and Challenges
In February 2013, the GERB government resigned because of big protests across the country. In the next election that year, GERB lost some seats but was still the largest party. However, they ended up in opposition.
Later, in 2014, there were more protests, and the government that replaced GERB also fell apart. This led to new elections, and GERB came back into power.
In 2020, some members left GERB to form a new party. Also, there were many protests against the GERB government, but Boyko Borisov stayed as Prime Minister.
Recent Elections
In April 2021, GERB won the most votes in the parliamentary election. However, they didn't get enough support to form a government easily. In July 2021, another snap election was held, and GERB came in second place.
In November 2021, there was yet another election. A new group called "We Continue the Change" won, and GERB became an opposition party. They were in opposition until June 2022. Since then, Bulgaria has had several more elections, and GERB continues to be a major political force.
Leaders of GERB
Here are the people who have led the GERB party:
| No. | Name |
Portrait | Time in office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tsvetan Tsvetanov
(born 1965) |
3 December 2006 | 10 January 2010 | |
| 2 | Boyko Borisov
(born 1959) |
10 January 2010 | Still the leader | |
GERB in Parliament
These are the leaders of GERB in the Bulgarian National Assembly:
| No. | Name |
Portrait | National Assembly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Krasimir Velchev
(born 1951) |
41st | ||
| 2 | Boyko Borisov
(born 1959) |
42nd | ||
| 3 | Tsvetan Tsvetanov
(born 1965) |
43rd | ||
| 4 | Daniela Daritkova
(born 1966) |
44th | ||
| 5 | Desislava Atanasova
(born 1978) |
45th | ||
| 46th | ||||
| 47th | ||||
| 48th | ||||
| 49th | ||||
| 6 | Boyko Borisov
(born 1959) |
49th | ||
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Election Results
GERB has taken part in many elections in Bulgaria and for the European Parliament. Here's how they've done:
National Assembly Elections
These tables show how many votes and seats GERB won in elections for the Bulgarian National Assembly (their main parliament).
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1,678,583 | 39.72 (#1) |
116 / 240
|
Minority | |
| 2013 | 1,081,605 | 30.55 (#1) |
97 / 240
|
 19 |
Opposition |
| 2014 | 1,072,491 | 32.67 (#1) |
84 / 240
|
13 |
Coalition |
| 2017 | 1,147,283 | 32.65 (#1) |
95 / 240
|
 11 |
Coalition |
| Apr 2021 | 837,707 | 25.80 (#1) |
73 / 240
|
22 |
Snap election |
| Jul 2021 | 642,165 | 23.21 (#2) |
60 / 240
|
13 |
Snap election |
| Nov 2021 | 596,456 | 22.44 (#2) |
57 / 240
|
3 |
Opposition |
| 2022 | 634,627 | 24.48 (#1) |
64 / 240
|
7 |
Snap election |
| 2023 | 669,924 | 25.39 (#1) |
67 / 240
|
3 |
Coalition |
Presidential Elections
This table shows how GERB's candidates did in elections for the President of Bulgaria.
| Election | Candidate | First round | Second round | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Rank | Votes | % | Result | ||
| 2011 | Rosen Plevneliev | 1,349,380 | 40.1 | 1st | 1,698,136 | 52.6 | Won |
| 2016 | Tsetska Tsacheva | 840,635 | 22.0 | 2nd | 1,256,485 | 36.2 | Lost |
| 2021 | Anastas Gerdzhikov | 610,862 | 22.8 | 2nd | 733,791 | 31.8 | Lost |
European Parliament Elections
This table shows GERB's results in elections for the European Parliament.
| Election | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 420,001 | 21.68 (#1) |
5 / 18
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| 2009 | 627,693 | 24.36 (#1) |
5 / 18
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| 2014 | 680,838 | 30.40 (#1) |
6 / 17
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1 |
| 2019 | 607,194 | 30.13 (#1) |
5 / 17
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1 |
See also
In Spanish: Ciudadanos por el Desarrollo Europeo de Bulgaria para niños
