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Bulgaria
At stake: President
Background
During World War II, Bulgaria was occupied by Nazi Germany until the invasion of the Soviet army in 1944. In 1946, the monarchy was abolished and the country later adopted a new constitution which nationalized several industries and established a communist one-party state.
In 1954, Todor Zhivkov took over as secretary-general of the Communist Party, and Bulgaria developed closer ties with the Soviet Union. In 1968, Bulgarian troops actively participated in the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
The Soviet Union gradually lost influence in Bulgarian life and politics. In 1990, Bulgaria held multi-party elections for the first time.
In the 1990s, the country faced a widespread economic crisis. Bulgaria saw five different governments in seven years, formed by the Communists—now reassembled as the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP)—and the Union of Democratic Forces (SDS). In 1997, SDS leader Ivan Kostov took over as prime minister, and the Bulgarian currency was pegged to the German mark.
In the June 2001 parliamentary ballot, the National Movement Simeon II (NDSV) became the most popular political organization in the country, and formed a coalition government with the Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS). Simeon Sakskoburggotski took over as prime minister in July 2001.
Born in 1937, Sakskoburggotski was Bulgaria's last monarch as a child in the 1940s, eventually fleeing to Egypt and Spain. He returned to Bulgaria in 2001. Sakskoburggotski implemented a series of financial measures aimed at bringing Bulgaria closer to the European Union (EU). Corruption and discrimination against of the Roma minority were still prevalent problems in the country.
In 2003, Sakskoburggotski's government provided 450 soldiers to the United States-led coalition effort in Iraq. The troops were to serve under Polish command as part of a peacekeeping force.
In March 2004, Bulgaria officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In December, the European Union (EU) announced that the accession treaty with Bulgaria and Romania would be finalized in April 2005.
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 Sergey Stanishev as prime minister.
Click here for 2005 Bulgaria National Assembly Tracker
2006 Presidential Election
In April 2005, the European Parliament approved the entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the European Union (EU) in 2007, but warned that both countries still need to enact reforms, eradicate corruption and fight organized crime.
The presidential election is scheduled for Oct. 22. If no contender garners more than 50 per cent of all cast ballots, or if fewer than 50 per cent of all registered voters participate, a run-off would take place on Oct. 29.
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.
Georgi Parvanov—of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP)—was elected president in November 2001, winning a run-off against United Democratic Forces (ODS) leader Petar Stoyanov with 54.1 per cent of all cast ballots. Stoyanov served as president from January 1997 to January 2002.
A June poll by AFIS placed incumbent Parvanov as the favourite with 34.6 per cent, followed by Sofia mayor Boyko Borissov of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) with 21.4 per cent, and Petar Stoyanov with four per cent.
On Jul. 10, Coalition for Bulgaria (KzB) member Ivo Atanasov called on other parties to support Parvanov's re-election, saying, "It would be best if the president is nominated by a wider coalition, instead of only the Bulgarian Socialist Party."
A July poll by NCIOM also placed Parvanov in first place with 34.6 per cent, followed by Borissov with 14.8 per cent, and Stoyanov with 4.5 per cent.
On Sept. 19, the electoral campaign officially began. Along with incumbent Parvanov, six other candidates—Constitutional Court chairman Nedelcho Beronov, Volen Siderov of the nationalist Ataka (Attack) party, deputy parliament speaker Petar Beron, former constitutional judge Georgi Markov, former army chief of staff Lyuben Petrov, and nationalist Grigor Velev—are contending.
On Sept. 26, Parvanov expressed satisfaction with Bulgaria's eventual accession into the European Union (EU), declaring, "It is quite usual for Bulgaria to find its place in the European family. However, the EU doesn't offer membership only for a rich history, but after a long and difficult process. Bulgaria doesn't enter the EU to consume, but to strengthen it."
On Sept. 30, Borissov endorsed Beronov, claiming this would eliminate the possibility of a run-off between Parvanov and Siderov. On Oct. 2, Siderov expressed dismay at Borissov's decision, saying, "Days before that, Boyko Borisov would call me to tell me we would help each other. Now it turns out he is working against me. I can't understand this man—he changes his mind every couple of days."
On Oct. 8, the president's office refuted a report aired in BTV's Bull's Eye program, which alleged that Parvanov owns a large property on a central boulevard in Sofia valued at $100,000 U.S. The journalist responsible for the story, Ivo Indzhev, tendered his resignation, declaring, "I did warn that the information was not checked, but as a journalist I was obliged to ask my guest if it was true."
September and October polls by Alpha Research, Gallup and NCIOM placed Parvanov as the frontrunner, followed by Siderov and Beronov.
On Oct. 15, Parvanov and Beronov participated in a televised debate. Parvanov expressed his view on the importance of the presidential ballot, saying, "There should be a battle between the right-wing and the left-wing but not at these elections. The president should not be neither from the left, nor from the right; he should be a decent man."
A mid-October poll by Alpha Research placed Parvanov with barely enough support to avoid a run-off.
Voting took place on Oct. 22. While final results gave incumbent Georgi Parvanov 64.04 per cent of all cast ballots, overall voter turnout was lower than 45 per cent, so a run-off was scheduled for Oct. 29. Parvanov's rival in the second round will be Volen Siderov, who got 21.48 per cent.
On Oct. 25, Parvanov said his rival stands no chance of victory, declaring, "I am aware that our country cannot reach the European standard for five, 10 or 15 years. We are able and should have similar strategy and I am ready to suggest such a strategy that will be able to intensify the processes and to shorten the distance between us and the leading European countries. It is not possible for Volen Siderov to win the run-off on Sunday. It is not about with how much I will win, but about the image of Bulgaria."
On Oct. 26, Siderov urged voters to support him, saying, "I am defending the underprivileged people and I speak of their viewpoints, including that of Bulgarian Muslims. (...) Many of the right-wing supporters who voted on the first round for Nedelcho Beronov and Georgi Markov will realize that Ataka cares for Bulgaria."
Second round voting took place on Oct. 29. Final results gave Parvanov the victory with 75.95 per cent of all cast ballots, while Siderov garnered 24.05 per cent. The president thanked his supporters, saying, "The Bulgarian people showed they are mature and wise, much wiser than some of their political leaders. From now on, our common road continues. I want to convince you that this road will be hard, but it will be as successful as it has been so far."
On Jan. 19, 2007, Parvanov was sworn in for a new term. The president acknowledged the new status of his country in the world, saying, "The membership in the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commits Bulgaria to new responsibilities to the countries of the region."
Political Players
President: Georgi Parvanov - BSP
Prime minister: Sergey Stanishev - BSP
The president is elected to a five-year term by popular vote.
Legislative Branch: The Narodno Sabranie (National Assembly) has 240 members, elected to four-year terms by proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies. Only parties with that receive more than four per cent of the vote qualify for seats.
Results of Last Election:
President - Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, 2006 (*)
Oct. 22 | Oct. 29 | |
Georgi Parvanov | 64.04% | 75.95% |
Volen Siderov | 21.48% | 24.05% |
Nedelcho Beronov | 9.75% | -- |
Georgi Markov | 2.71% | -- |
Petar Beron | 0.78% | -- |
Grigor Velev | 0.71% | -- |
Lyuben Petrov | 0.49% | -- |
(*) Overall voter turnout for the first round was lower than 45 per cent, so a run-off was required.
National Assembly - Jun. 25, 2005
Vote% | Seats | |
Coalition for Bulgaria (KzB) | 30.95% | 82 |
National Movement Simeon II (NDSV) | 19.88% | 53 |
Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) | 12.81% | 34 |
Ataka (Attack) | 8.14% | 21 |
Union of Democratic Forces (SDS) | 7.68% | 20 |
Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) | 6.44% | 17 |
Bulgarian People's Union (BNZ) | 5.19% | 13 |
Other parties | 8.91% | -- |