(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - More people in Bulgaria are turning against Sergey Stanishev, according to a poll by Alpha Research. 61 per cent of respondents have a negative opinion of the prime minister, up seven points since April.

In June 2005, Bulgarian voters renewed the National Assembly. The Coalition for Bulgaria (KzB)—which included the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP)—secured 82 seats, followed by the the National Movement Simeon II (NDSV) with 53 lawmakers. In August, the two main parties, along with the Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), agreed to set-up a coalition administration with Socialist leader 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.

Bulgaria’s political scene has recently been shaken by allegations of mismanagement of EU funds. GERB has called on Bulgarian president Georgi Parvanov to shorten the term of the current legislature, and for an interim cabinet to take over.

The president is regarded as a ceremonial dignitary in Bulgaria, but serves as the commander in chief of the armed forces and has the power to return a bill to the National Assembly for further debate. The president’s veto can be overturned with a majority vote.

On Jul. 30, after his government survived a confidence motion backed by GERB, Stanishev declared: "The alternative that the opposition proposes is harmful for the country. And I’m not saying we’re perfect. Appointing an interim government, leading talks for a new cabinet and organizing early elections would take precious time for work with EU funds."

The next general election is tentatively scheduled for June 2009.

Polling Data

Do you have a positive or negative view of Sergey Stanishev’s work as prime minister?

Source: Alpha Research
Methodology: Interviews with 1,010 Bulgarian adults, conducted in July 2008. No margin of error was provided.

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