Bulgaria's fifth election in two years seems unlikely to have ended the country's political deadlock, despite the conservative party emerging with a slight lead with nearly all votes tallied.

The results from Sunday's vote mean the political stalemate is likely to continue in the EU member state, which is deeply divided over Russia's offensive in Ukraine.

The conservative GERB garnered around 26.5 percent of the vote, just ahead of the 24.9 percent of reformist liberal coalition PP/DB, according to the Central Electoral Commission, with almost all the votes counted.

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Pro-Russian ultra nationalists Vazrazhdane came out third with 14.3 percent, up from some 10 percent they earned in the last vote in October.

Three other parties also passed the 4 percent threshold to enter the 240-seat legislature.

Analysts estimate chances of the conservative GERB finding partners to govern the Balkan nation in a coalition are slim.

Runner-up PP/DB, led by Harvard-educated entrepreneur Kiril Petkov, accused long-time GERB leader and former premier Boyko Borisov of corruption.

Massive anti-graft protests rocked Bulgaria in 2020, leading to the end of Borisov's decade in power and setting off the spiral of elections.

Petkov governed briefly as premier in 2022, but his coalition fell apart amid disagreement over supporting Ukraine.

The NATO and EU member has historically and culturally close ties with Russia.

The lack of prospects for a cabinet would mean further governance by interim cabinets appointed by pro-Russian President Rumen Radev, who vehemently opposes sending arms and ammunition to Ukraine.

"The suspense remains. New elections are probable as soon as the summer," Gallup International director Parvan Simeonov said.

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