Bulgarian Socialists win legislative elections

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) - led Coalition for Bulgaria won the 25 June 2005 general elections. The Coalition is unfortunately unable to form a cabinet on its own.

On 29 June the state Central Elections Commission (CEC) presented the final results of Bulgaria's general election:

• The Coalition for Bulgaria won 34.17% of votes and a total of 82 seats in the 240-seat Assembly.
• Simeon II National Movement (NDSV) is the second political force in parliament with 53 seats, nearly half the number it had in the previous assembly. The party garnered 22.08% of votes.
• The ethnic Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), which was the junior partner in the NDSV government, ranked third with 14.17% and 34 MPs in the next assembly.
• An unpleasant surprise was the election of 21 MPs (8.75% of votes) for the nationalist coalition Attack (Ataka).

BSP leader Sergey Stanishev declared his willingness to form a stable coalition government in order to complete the last reforms necessary for EU-entry in 2007. To this end, the BSP is negotiating with the NDSV and the DPS to form to a tripartisan government. There is time pressure, because important reforms are still needed in order for Bulgaria to become EU member in 2007.

President Georgi Parvanov called the new parliament on 11 July 2005. Georgi Pirinski, Deputy Chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, has been elected President of the National Assembly.