This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22498433
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Bulgaria elections head for tight finish | Bulgaria elections head for tight finish |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Partial results from Bulgaria's parliamentary election show a narrow lead for the centre-right Gerb party over its socialist rivals. | |
With nearly 70% of the ballots counted, Gerb has 31.4% of the vote, followed by the BSP with 27.4%. | With nearly 70% of the ballots counted, Gerb has 31.4% of the vote, followed by the BSP with 27.4%. |
But ex-PM Boiko Borisov has failed to win the election outright and must now try to form a coalition government. That is expected to be very difficult. | |
Gerb resigned in February amid protests over living standards and corruption. | Gerb resigned in February amid protests over living standards and corruption. |
Voter turnout was barely 50% and the run-up to the election was marked by voter apathy and claims of fraud. | |
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Sofia says more political uncertainty in the EU's poorest country looks likely as the main parties struggle to re-establish their claim to power. | The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Sofia says more political uncertainty in the EU's poorest country looks likely as the main parties struggle to re-establish their claim to power. |
Bulgaria faces a major economic and social crisis, our correspondent says, with unemployment officially close to 12% but - unofficially - over 18%. | |
'Mafia' chants | 'Mafia' chants |
International observers are expected to give their verdict shortly on whether the election was conducted fairly. More than 250 of them monitored Sunday's election. | |
Gerb has pledged to keep debts under control, while the socialists say they will spend more and create jobs. | |
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. | 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. |
The results so far suggest Gerb will fall well short of a majority in the 240-seat parliament. | |
In order to form a new government, it will need the support of parties that have already declared their opposition to another Borisov-led administration. | In order to form a new government, it will 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. |
Ballot paper 'scandal' | Ballot paper 'scandal' |
President Rosen Plevneliev had earlier appealed to Bulgaria's 6.9 million voters to cast their votes to ensure a fair result. | 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," he said. | "Whatever scenarios exist, they don't stand a chance against millions of Bulgarians who can come out to vote," he said. |
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. |
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". |