(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - People in Bulgaria are divided in their assessment of Sergei Stanishev’s tenure, according to a poll by Alpha Research. 43 per cent of respondents have a positive opinion of the prime minister’s work, while 49 per cent disagree.

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 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, along with Romania, Bulgaria officially joined the European Union (EU).

In October 2007, the Bulgarian government survived a no-confidence motion tabled by the opposition in the legislature on the basis that it had failed to properly fund the education system. The 160-61 vote came after a long teacher’s strike, and was the third no-confidence motion that the Stanishev administration has faced since taking office.

Earlier this month, two high-ranking officials with the Republican Road Infrastructure Fund were arrested by the Bulgarian police for receiving a bribe. On Jan. 24, Stanishev commented on the situation, saying, "This shows the state’s resistance to corruption cases and the fact that the fight is at all levels. Every state official should know that if they take bribe, they face sanctions and sentences. The Prosecutor’s Office and investigating bodies will conduct the inquiry. (...) I hope the case will have a successful conclusion."

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 December 2007. No margin of error was provided.

Archive Search

Over 19,600 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.