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Bulgaria elections head for tight finish Bulgaria elections head for tight finish
(about 4 hours later)
Exit polls in Bulgaria's parliamentary elections suggest the centre-right Gerb party of ex-PM Boiko Borisov has a narrow lead over its socialist rivals.Exit polls in Bulgaria's parliamentary elections suggest the centre-right Gerb party of ex-PM Boiko Borisov has a narrow lead over its socialist rivals.
As the polls closed in Sunday's vote, Gerb was projected to win 30-33% while the socialist BSP was on 25-27%. Gerb was projected to win 30-33% while the socialist BSP was on 25-27%.
Protests against low living standards and widespread corruption forced the Gerb government to resign in February.Protests against low living standards and widespread corruption forced the Gerb government to resign in February.
The run-up to the election in the EU's poorest country has been marked by voter apathy and claims of fraud. The prospect of no outright winner has raised fears of a hung parliament and further instability in the EU's poorest country.
After the polls closed, crowds gathered outside the election centre at the Palace of Culture in Sofia to protest against any new attempt by Gerb to form a new government, the BBC's Nick Thorpe in Bulgaria reports. The run-up to the election has been marked by voter apathy and claims of fraud.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Sofia says predictions from the exit polls should be treated with caution as many people were unwilling to say how they had voted.
Turnout is expected to be just over 50%, about 10% below that of the last election four years ago, he adds.
As polls closed, crowds gathered outside the election centre at the Palace of Culture in Sofia to protest against any new attempt by Gerb to form a new government.
Protesters chanting "Mafia" were involved in brief scuffles with police, Bulgarian news agencies said.Protesters chanting "Mafia" were involved in brief scuffles with police, Bulgarian news agencies said.
If the exit polls are correct, Gerb will fall well short of a majority in the 240-seat parliament.If the exit polls are correct, Gerb will fall well short of a majority in the 240-seat parliament.
In order to form a new government, it would then need the support of parties that have already declared their opposition to another Borisov-led administration.In order to form a new government, it would then need the support of parties that have already declared their opposition to another Borisov-led administration.
Other parties expected to pass the 4% threshold needed to enter parliament are the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) - which represents Bulgaria's ethnic Turkish minority - and the ultra-nationalist Ataka.Other parties expected to pass the 4% threshold needed to enter parliament are the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) - which represents Bulgaria's ethnic Turkish minority - and the ultra-nationalist Ataka.
The centrist Bulgaria of the Citizens, led by former European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, was thought to be close to the necessary threshold.The centrist Bulgaria of the Citizens, led by former European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, was thought to be close to the necessary threshold.
Economic and social crisisEconomic and social crisis
The prospect of an election with no outright winner has raised fears of a hung parliament and further instability. President Rosen Plevneliev had earlier appealed to Bulgaria's 6.9 million voters to cast their votes to ensure a fair result.
Before the polls closed, Bulgaria's central electoral commission said that turnout was down on the last elections in 2009. At 17:30 local time (14:30 GMT) - two-and-a-half hours before the end of voting - 41.3% of voters had cast their ballots. "Whatever scenarios exist, they don't stand a chance against millions of Bulgarians who can come out to vote," he said.
President Rosen Plevneliev had earlier appealed to Bulgaria's 6.9 million voters to cast their votes to ensure a fair result: "Whatever scenarios exist, they don't stand a chance against millions of Bulgarians who can come out to vote."
A caretaker government has led Bulgaria since mass protests prompted Mr Borisov's resignation in February.A caretaker government has led Bulgaria since mass protests prompted Mr Borisov's resignation in February.
Before Sunday's vote, the centre-right leader had said he would be happy to go into opposition, and BSP leader Sergei Stanishev said if his party won he would not be prime minister.Before Sunday's vote, the centre-right leader had said he would be happy to go into opposition, and BSP leader Sergei Stanishev said if his party won he would not be prime minister.
Gerb has pledged to keep debts under control while the socialists say they will spend more and create jobs.Gerb has pledged to keep debts under control while the socialists say they will spend more and create jobs.
Bulgaria faces a major economic and social crisis, our correspondent says, with unemployment officially close to 12% but - unofficially - over 18%.Bulgaria faces a major economic and social crisis, our correspondent says, with unemployment officially close to 12% but - unofficially - over 18%.
'Scandal'
The election campaign had already been marred by revelations of illegal wiretapping of politicians, with prosecutors pointing the finger at former Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov.The election campaign had already been marred by revelations of illegal wiretapping of politicians, with prosecutors pointing the finger at former Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov.
Then, on Saturday, prosecutors said a printing house near the capital Sofia had been raided with the seizure of 350,000 ballot papers that were printed over the legally fixed number.Then, on Saturday, prosecutors said a printing house near the capital Sofia had been raided with the seizure of 350,000 ballot papers that were printed over the legally fixed number.
Mr Stanishev described the discovery as a "scandal".Mr Stanishev described the discovery as a "scandal".
He said it showed there had been "preparation for total falsification of the elections".He said it showed there had been "preparation for total falsification of the elections".
The discovery triggered a protest by members of some opposition parties outside parliament on Saturday.The discovery triggered a protest by members of some opposition parties outside parliament on Saturday.
More than 250 international observers are monitoring Sunday's election.More than 250 international observers are monitoring Sunday's election.