Bulgarians are voting in parliamentary elections, with no party expected to win a majority to form a government, fuelling fears of more political and economic instability in the financially strapped Balkan nation.
Some 6.9 million eligible voters have a choice of candidates from 36 parties, but voter apathy is widespread and allegations of vote fraud and an illegal wire-tapping scandal have marred the campaign.
Recent opinion polls suggested the centre-right party which led the previous government and its main challenger, the Socialists, were running neck-and-neck, though it is unlikely either could get enough votes to avoid having to form a coalition government.
With up to five other parties expected to enter the 240-seat parliament, formation of a stable government may prove difficult. “I expect that the country will soon head to another election,” said Anton Todorov, a political analyst.
Bulgaria has been led by a caretaker government since February, when Boiko Borisov, who guided his Citizens for Bulgaria’s European Development party to victory in 2009, resigned as prime minister amid sometimes violent protests against poverty, high utility bills and corruption.
The ex-ruling party has seen its reputation tarnished further since prosecutors alleged that former interior minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov was responsible for illegally eavesdropping on political opponents during his term. Media leaks have also fuelled suspicion that Mr Borisov may have tried to interfere with the case.
But perhaps more than anything, Mr Borisov’s party may struggle to win the public’s confidence due to economic issues. Six years after Bulgaria’s entry into the European Union, the Balkan state of 7.3 million remains the bloc’s poorest member.
Bulgarians have been angry over austerity measures designed to reduce public debt, which have meant cuts in healthcare and education programmes.
Many Bulgarians feel squeezed by low wages — the lowest in the EU at €400 a month — and relentless inflation. They feel betrayed by promises that joining the EU would bring them a better life. Now, more than 22 per cent of the people live below the official poverty line.
According to official statistics, the unemployment rate is 12 per cent but experts suggest that the real rate is more than 18%.
Allegations of vote-rigging that have accompanied elections in the past prompted five major former opposition parties to seek an independent vote count; the first such count since 1990 will be conducted by the Austrian agency SORA. More than 250 international observers will be monitoring Sunday’s election.
On Saturday, prosecutors stormed a printing house and seized 350,000 ballots that were printed over the legally fixed number.
The country’s president urged Bulgarians to vote in large numbers to counter possible vote-buying practices that could influence the outcome of the race.
“As many as the scenarios may be, these do not stand any chance against millions of Bulgarians who can cast their votes for their own country and its future,” Rosen Plevneliev said after casting his ballot.
AP