Foreign
OPPOSITION politicians in Bulgaria called on the public to vote in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, in spite of the pandemic, amid fears that turnout would be low.
Parliamentary elections are being held in the middle of a third wave of the coronavirus.
Voting was accompanied by many health regulations, including the provision of mobile ballot boxes for people who are in quarantine.
A total of 6.7 million voters are called on to elect 240 members of parliament (MPs) for the National Assembly in Sofia.
The election will decide whether Prime Minister Boyko Borisov’s pro-European ruling party GERB will remain in power in the European Union’s poorest country.
Socialist leader, Kornelia Ninova called the election “decisive’’ and saying that she had voted for change and stability.
Turnout had reached 18 per cent at midday (0900 GMT), according to the Central Election Commission.
The opposition Democratic Bulgaria also called on the public to cast their ballots, with Co-chairman Hristo Ivanov saying, “we should go out and vote for change.’’
His coalition was part of the street protests last summer over allegations of corruption against the GERB coalition government, which included the nationalists as junior partners.
Observers predict that Sunday’s election result is likely to mirror opinion polls, which predict no outright winner.
Polling suggests GERB, which has governed since 2017 with the nationalists, will emerge as the strongest political force, but is not likely to gain an absolute majority.
The opposition is likely to be divided between several parties, but the Socialists are forecast to become the second-strongest political power.
Polling stations are open from 7 am to 8 pm. Projections may only be published after polls close.
Official final results would be expected within four days of the election. (dpa/NAN)
– April 4, 2021 @ 15:29 GMT /
Tags: Bulgarian opposition calls on people to vote in spite of pandemic
