Final count confirms Borisov’s victory in Bulgaria

Sofia, Oct 3 (EFE).- The complete count of the early general elections Sunday in Bulgaria confirmed the victory of former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his conservative populist party GERB, with 25.4 percent of votes, the country’s central electoral commission reported Monday.

In second place was the prime minister until last June, pro-European reformist Kiril Petkov, with his party Let’s Continue the Change adding 20.2 percent of votes.

Seven parties entered parliament in total, as the populist anti-system ITN, which won the elections in July last year, was left out.

Sunday’s elections were the fourth in less than 18 months and there is nothing to indicate that the result will help break the political impasse in the country, a member of the European Union and NATO.

Third, behind the two major antagonistic parties, is the DPS party, with 13.6 percent of the votes, from the Turkish minority, a traditional ally of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria and considered by many to be the country’s most corrupt party.

The ultra-nationalists of the anti-NATO and anti-EU formation “Vazrazhdane” (Renaissance) were fourth, with 10.2 percent of the vote, ahead of the pro-Russian socialist party BSP, with 9.3 percent.

In addition, the pro-European group “Democratic Bulgaria,” an ally of Petkov, entered the 240-seat Parliament with 7.4 percent of the vote, while Rising Bulgaria, led by a former pro-Russian Defense Minister, got 4.6 percent.

A solution to the political crisis that Bulgaria has been suffering for two years, without the ability to form stable majorities that can govern the country, does not seem in sight. EFE

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