(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Political parties in Bulgaria are having a hard time attracting voters, according to a poll by BBSS Gallup International. 22 per cent of respondents would vote for the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) in the next legislative election.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Political parties in Bulgaria are having a hard time attracting voters, according to a poll by BBSS Gallup International. 22 per cent of respondents would vote for the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) in the next legislative election.
The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) is second with 19 per cent, followed by the Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) with eight per cent, and Ataka (Attack) with six per cent. Support is lower for the United Democratic Forces (ODS), Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB), the National Movement for Stability and Progress (NDSV), and the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (VMRO).
In June 2005, Bulgarian voters renewed the National Assembly. The Coalition for Bulgaria (KzB)—which included the BSP—secured 82 seats, followed by the NDSV with 53 lawmakers. In August, the two main parties, along with the DPS, agreed to set-up a coalition administration with Socialist leader Sergey Stanishev as prime minister.
Last year, Bulgaria officially joined the European Union (EU). In 2006, Sofia mayor Boyko Borissov assembled the centre-right, pro-European GERB. In October 2007, Borissov was re-elected by a wide margin. He has called for an early general ballot in Bulgaria.
On Nov. 22, NDSV leader Simeon Sakskoburggotski admitted that the ruling coalition is going through one of its toughest times since taking office, declaring, "The first and the last year within a term are the hardest as the expectations of the society become greater and the opposition’s criticism more aggressive. (…) We should accomplish the tasks we set at the beginning and I am sure our fellow-citizens will evaluate it sooner or later."
The next general election is tentatively scheduled for June 2009.
Polling Data
If parliamentary elections took place in Bulgaria now, which party would you vote for?
|
Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) |
22% |
|
Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) |
19% |
|
Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) |
8% |
|
Ataka (Attack) |
6% |
|
United Democratic Forces (ODS) |
3% |
|
Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) |
2% |
|
National Movement for Stability and Progress (NDSV) |
1% |
|
Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (VMRO) |
1% |
Source: BBSS Gallup International
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,000 Bulgarian adults, conducted in November 2008. Margin of error is 3.2 per cent.
