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Bulgaria elections head for tight finish Bulgaria election fails to end political stalemate
(about 4 hours later)
Partial results from Bulgaria's parliamentary election show a narrow lead for the centre-right Gerb party over its socialist rivals. Bulgaria's parliamentary election has left the country facing more political uncertainty after a tight finish.
With nearly 70% of the ballots counted, Gerb has 31.4% of the vote, followed by the BSP with 27.4%. The centre-right Gerb party - led by former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov - is narrowly ahead with nearly all votes counted.
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 won nearly 31%, while the socialist BSP party got about 27%.
Gerb resigned in February amid protests over living standards and corruption. International observers say the vote was generally well run, but add that scandals and fraud allegations have eroded trust in state institutions.
The BBC correspondent in Sofia, Nick Thorpe, says it will be hard for either main party to form a credible coalition.
Gerb resigned in February amid protests over living standards and corruption in the EU's poorest country.
Voter turnout was barely 50% and the run-up to the election was marked by voter apathy and claims of fraud.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.
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%.
'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. Election monitors from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said in a statement the vote had been "held in a competitive environment, fundamental freedoms were respected, and the administration of elections was well managed".
But they said a pre-election bugging scandal and allegations of ballot paper fraud had "weakened public confidence in the process".
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.
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 on Sunday night crowds rallied 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, Gerb 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. Two more parties passed the 4% threshold needed to enter parliament - the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), which represents Bulgaria's ethnic Turkish minority, and the ultra-nationalist Ataka. MRF got 10.7% and Ataka 7.4%.
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.
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 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.
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. The election campaign was 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".
He said it showed there had been "preparation for total falsification of the elections".