Bulgarian Election Too Close To Call

 

Politico: Bulgarian election too close to call after fifth vote in 2 years  

A pro-Western coalition and Boyko Borissov’s GERB were neck and neck. 

No clear winner emerged in Bulgaria’s election on Sunday night, much to the dismay of voters who have been to the polls five times in the last two years. 

In the first release of results, it seemed that the pro-Western coalition, Continuing the Change and Democratic Bulgaria, had won a narrow majority with 26.4 percent, beating the center-right establishment party, GERB, which scored 25.5 percent. But in a recount, the former scored 24.8 percent while the latter secured the lead with 25.9 percent. 

Observers expect a clear winner to emerge by Monday after all international voters’ ballots are counted.  

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Update #1: Vote Too Close To Call In Bulgaria's Pivotal Parliamentary Election (RFE)  

Update #2: Close race in Bulgaria's fifth election in two years (DW)  

WNU Editor: It looks like the result is going to be the same as the past 5 elections.

Bulgaria's Pro-Kremlin Leader Refuses To Send Weapons To Ukraine

A Soviet-era S-300 -- an antiaircraft system which is still in service with the Bulgarian Army and which the United States reportedly asked Sofia to donate to Ukraine. (file photo)  

RFE: Bulgaria's Pro-Kremlin Leader Refuses To Send Soviet-Era Fighter Jets And Tanks To Ukraine  

With its stockpile of Soviet-era weapons, Bulgaria, home to a thriving arms industry, could be a key ally of Ukraine, which is trained on and equipped with such arms, in its war against invading Russian forces. 

But with parliament now dissolved ahead of elections on April 2, the fifth snap poll in two years amid political uncertainty, the caretaking government is in no mood to provide lethal aid to Kyiv, appointed as it was by President Rumen Radev, who is known for his pro-Kremlin leanings. 

Radev, a former air force pilot, doubled down on his hard-line stance on March 21, balking at joining a dozen EU states to supply Ukraine with at least 1 million artillery shells over the next year.  

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WNU Editor: Bulgaria joins Austria and Hungary to not get involved in this war .... Bulgaria Refuses To Send Weapons To Ukraine, Joins Hungary & Austria's Neutral Stance (Zero Hedge/Remix News).

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev Lays Down Conditions That Ukraine Must Meet To Join NATO

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev (file photo) 

Novinite: Bulgaria's President: Ukraine in NATO after a Peaceful Settlement of the Conflict between Kyiv and Moscow 

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev does not agree with the full text of the declaration adopted by some countries in Eastern Europe regarding Ukraine's membership in NATO. 

The President supports the other positions contained in the document. This is stated in a position issued by the press office of the head of state in response to sent questions.  

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Update #1: Bulgarian President Didn't Sign Document Backing Ukraine Because Of Wording On NATO Membership (RFE)  

Update #2: NATO member president sets precondition for Ukraine (RT)  

WNU Editor: Bulgarian President Rumen Radev is sending a very blunt message to Ukraine President Zelensky. Ukraine's accession to the bloc can only happen after Kiev and Moscow have a struck a peace deal to end the war.

Centre-Right GERB Party Win Bulgaria Election, But Must Form A Coalition Government

 

Reuters: Bulgarian GERB ahead in election, but coalition outlook uncertain 

SOFIA (Reuters) -Bulgaria's GERB party of ex-Prime Minister Boyko Borissov looked set for a narrow win in Sunday's election, the fourth in less two years, as voters sought predictability from a former leader amid steep inflation and the war in Ukraine. 

Exit polls by Gallup International and Alpha Research showed the centre-right GERB with 23.6%-25.5% of ballots. 

Its main rival, the reformist We Continue the Change of Kiril Petkov, whose cabinet collapsed in June, was next with 19.5%-19.9%.

If confirmed, the result would herald tough coalition talks ahead that could still end in a hung parliament or even another election. 

Either would prolong policy instability and raise the prospect of Sofia missing its 2024 target date for entry into the euro zone.  

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WNU editor: It looks like this election result is going to only maintain the status quo.

Centre-Right GERB Party Win Bulgaria Election  

Bulgaria election: Exit polls suggest victory for ex-PM Boyko Borissov's GERB party -- Euronews  

Borissov leads in Bulgaria’s election but faces battle to form a government -- Politico  

Bulgaria's centre-right GERB party ahead in election, but coalition outlook uncertain -- France 24  

Poll Puts Bulgaria Ex-PM Borisov Back On Top But Short Of Allies -- Barons

Centre-right GERB party to win Bulgaria election: Exit poll -- Al Jazeera

Bulgarians Go to The Polls To Elect A New Government On Sunday

Bulgaria's President Rumen Radev called for a snap election after Kiril Petkov's government collapse | Nikolay Doychinov/AFP 

Reuters: Weary Bulgarians Fear More Political Turmoil After Latest Election 

DAVIDKOVO, Bulgaria (Reuters) - Bulgarians bracing for their fourth election in less than two years face a winter of want amid soaring inflation driven by the war in Ukraine, making many yearn for good government and stability after years of political turmoil. 

At stake is the next government's ability to tackle rocketing energy costs and secure gas supplies at affordable prices after Russia's cutoff in April over Bulgaria's refusal to pay in roubles following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

But fractious coalition-building is expected to drag out after the Oct. 2 vote amid deep rifts within the political elite over how to root out entrenched corruption, and the failure of a smattering of new parties to build a sustainable voter base.  

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WNU Editor: This is the fourth election in two years, and there are 28 political parties on the ballot. And while more than half are defending or actively promoting the Kremlin’s positions, the expectation is that there will be no clear winner when the results are finalized. 

Bulgarians Go to The Polls To Elect A New Government On Sunday  

Bulgaria to hold election overshadowed by war in Ukraine -- AP 

Bulgaria's election: What's in store ahead of a difficult winter? -- DW 

”Trend” Survey: 77% of Bulgarians want Affordable Gas, Electricity and Fuel Prices from the New Government -- Novinite  

East and West clash in Bulgaria’s snap general election -- BNE

Bulgaria Signals It Wants To Buy Russian Natural Gas Again

Bulgaria says talks needed to resume Russian gas supplies. Reuters 

 Insider: Bulgaria's return to Russian gas supply talks is 'inevitable' amid steep shortages, energy chief says 

* A return to Russian gas supply talks is "inevitable," Bulgaria's energy chief said on Monday. 

* "Given the demands of business and the trade unions, in reality, talks with Gazprom to renew supplies are inevitable," he said. 

Bulgaria's energy minister Rossen Hristov said the country would likely go back to talks with Russia on resuming gas deliveries from state-run energy supplier Gazprom. 

Gazprom provided 90% of Bulgaria's natural gas until April, when it cut supplies after Bulgaria refused to pay in rubles. "Given the demands of business and the trade unions, in reality, talks with Gazprom to renew supplies are inevitable," Energy Minister Rossen Hristov said at a press event, according to Reuters.

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WNU Editor: There is a lot of opposition to this resumption of talks with Russia .... Thousands of Bulgarians protest against Russian gas dependence (Euractiv). 

Bulgaria Signals It Wants To Buy Russian Natural Gas Again  

Bulgaria says talks to resume Russian gas supplies are 'inevitable' -- Euronews/Reuters  

The Bulgarian State and Lukoil are Negotiating on Making Gasoline Cheaper -- Novinite

Bulgaria risks a relapse into its addiction to Russia’s Gazprom -- Politico  

EU nation wants to resume buying Russian gas -- RT

Bulgaria’s Pro-Western Government Collapses Over Disputes About Budget And North Macedonia

 

The Guardian/Reuters: Bulgaria’s pro-western government collapses after just six months  

Coalition led by Kiril Petkov loses majority over disputes about budget and North Macedonia The 

Bulgarian government has collapsed in a no-confidence vote in parliament, throwing the European Union country into political turmoil amid the war in Ukraine and surging inflation. 

Opposition lawmakers toppled the government of the prime minister, Kiril Petkov – which took power six months ago – by 123-116 in a vote after the ruling coalition lost its majority over disputes on budget spending and whether Bulgaria should unlock North Macedonia’s EU accession.  

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WNU Editor: The Prime Minister is blaming Russia and the mafia for the collapse of his government .... Bulgaria's Petkov points finger at mafia and Russia as government collapses (Politico.eu). 

Bulgaria’s Pro-Western Government Collapses  

Bulgarian government loses no-confidence vote, early elections loom -- Reuters  

Bulgarian Turmoil Deepens as Government Loses No-Confidence Vote -- Bloomberg  

Bulgaria faces fresh political turmoil as government loses confidence vote -- Euronews  

Bulgaria's no-confidence vote could hamper EU expansion -- AP

Another EU Coalition Government Has Collapsed

Reuters: Bulgaria Faces Risk of Political Instability as PM Loses Majority 

SOFIA (Reuters) - Bulgaria's prime minister pledged to lead a minority government on Wednesday as the populist ITN party quit the government over disagreements on budget spending and whether Bulgaria should back North Macedonia's European Union accession. 

Kiril Petkov said he was "optimistic" his centrist PP party and its two remaining coalition partners could still deliver on pledges to uproot widespread corruption in the EU's poorest member state after losing their parliamentary majority. 

But analysts say the rift is likely to bring fresh instability just as the Ukraine war causes inflation to surge. Petkov's government only took office in December after a prolonged political crisis.  

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WNU Editor: The Estonian coalition government collapsed last week (link here). Now the Bulgarian government. Is there a trend? 

Update: Bulgaria says no heavy weapons to Ukraine .... ‘We Have Done Enough’: Bulgaria Rejects Ukraine’s Plea for Heavy Weapons (Balkan Insight).  

Update #2: Bulgaria's relations with Russia have been severely damaged from this war .... Bulgaria will never negotiate with Gazprom again (Euractiv).

Protests Against The Government Of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov Continue For A Fourth Day

Demonstrators take part in an anti-government protest in Sofia, Bulgaria on Saturday [Reuters/Stoyan Nenov]

Reuters: Thousands call on Bulgarian government to resign in anti-graft protests

SOFIA (Reuters) - Thousands of Bulgarians, frustrated with endemic corruption, protested on Saturday for a third day in a row, demanding the resignation of the centre-right government of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and the country’s chief prosecutor.

Protesters, who chanted “Mafia” and “Resign” on Saturday, accuse Borissov’s third government and chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev of deliberately delaying investigations into links between graft-prone officials and local oligarchs.

Protests against what many called “state capture” and “mafia-style” rule were held in several other cities in the Balkan country.

Police arrested 18 people late Friday after scuffles during the anti-corruption protests, but the demonstration Saturday was largely peaceful.

Bulgaria, the European Union’s poorest and most corrupt member state, has long pledged to root out graft but has yet to jail any senior officials on corruption charges.

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WNU Editor: Bulgaria PM Borissov is not going to resign .... Bulgaria PM Borissov Shrugs off Calls for Resignation (Balkan Insight).

More News On Protests Against The Government Of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov Continuing For A Fourth Day

Fourth night of anti-government protests in Bulgaria -- France 24
Corruption crisis puts Bulgarian leader on the ropes -- Politico
Bulgarians Vow To Continue Protests Against Government Corruption -- RFE
Bulgaria rocked by protests amid coronavirus fears -- Al Jazeera

Pro-Russia Candidate Wins Bulgaria's Presidential Election

Reuters: Russia-friendly political novice wins Bulgaria presidential election: exit polls

Bulgarian Socialist ally Rumen Radev, a Russia-friendly newcomer to politics, won Sunday's presidential election by a wide margin, exit polls showed, prompting centre-right Prime Minister Boiko Borisov to pledge to resign.

Radev, 53, entered Bulgarian politics on a wave of discontent with the ruling centre-right's progress in combating corruption, disappointment with the European Union and concerns among voters over alienating an increasingly assertive Russia.

A former air force commander, Radev has argued Bulgaria needs to be pragmatic in balancing the requirements of its European Union and NATO memberships while seeking ways to benefit from a relationship with Moscow.

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Update #1: Pro-Russia Candidate Appears Likely to Win Bulgarian Presidency (NYT)
Update #2: Pro-Russia candidate wins Bulgaria's presidential run-off (Euronews)

WNU Editor: The President's post is largely ceremonial, but it has already resulted in the resignation of the Prime Minister, and the collapse of the government .... Bulgarian PM resigning after his party loses presidency (AP).

Bulgarian Prime Minister: 'I Do Not Need A War In The Black Sea'

MO4CH News: ‘I don’t need war’: Bulgaria rules out joining NATO flotilla in Black Sea

Bulgaria’s prime minister ruled out participation in plans to form a united NATO Black Sea naval task force to counter the Russian Navy in the region. The president of Romania said the initiative is about joint drills, not maintaining a separate fleet.

“I always say that I want the Black Sea to see sailboats, yachts, large boats with tourists and not become an arena of military action … I do not need a war in the Black Sea,” Reuters cited Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boiko Borisov as saying at a media briefing.

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WNU Editor: Here is a little secret about Bulgaria .... some of the best beaches in the world are in Bulgaria on the Black Sea.

More News On Bulgaria's Decision To Not Join NATO's Naval Build-Up In The Black Sea

Bulgaria says will not join any NATO Black Sea fleet after Russian warning -- Reuters
Bulgaria Pulls out of Joint Black Sea Patrol -- Balkan Insight
Bulgaria won't be "countering Russia" in Black Sea region -- B92
Bulgaria Won’t Be Part of NATO Fleet in Black Sea, Premier Says -- Bloomberg
Bulgarian PM doesn’t want NATO fleet in the Black Sea -- Romania Insider

Protests Result In The Resignation Of Bulgaria's Government

Bulgaria's Government Resigns Amid Protests -- CNN

(CNN) -- Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov tendered his government's resignation Wednesday after eight days of nationwide protests over high energy bills, his office said.

The protests against soaring electricity bills have morphed into wider discontent over austerity and the way the country is being run, the official Bulgarian News Agency reported.

Parliament will vote Thursday on whether to accept the Cabinet's resignation, the government said.

If it is accepted, the president will announce an election date.

Read more ....

More News On The Resignation Of Bulgaria's Government

Bulgarian government resigns amid growing protests -- Reuters
Bulgarian Prime Minister Submits Resignation -- New York Times
Bulgarian Premier Borissov Resigns After Austerity Protests -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Bulgarian people-power forces Borisov to resign -- Euronews
Bulgaria government to resign, PM Boiko Borisov says -- BBC
Bulgarian Government Resigns after Violent Protests -- Time/AP
New Wave of Protest Rallies Looms in Bulgaria -- Novinite

Failed Asassination Attemt In Bulgaria Caught On Film

Heartstopping Moment Would-Be Assassin Aims Gun At Bulgarian Opposition Leader's Head And Pulls The Trigger... But Victim Survives After Weapon Misfires -- Daily Mail

* Ahmed Dogan was giving speech at conference in capital Sofia
* Dramatic footage shows man storming the stage and attempting to shoot the politician from point blank range
* Weapon fails to fire allowing Mr Dogan time to escape
* Security guards and politicians kick and beat attacker to the ground

A Bulgarian politician today survived an extraordinary assassination attempt when a man stormed the stage and held a gun to his head as he was giving a speech.

Fortunately for Ahmed Dogan, leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, the weapon misfired giving him time to react and hit the would-be assassin's hand out of the way.

Before he could attempt a second shot the unidentified suspect was tackled to the ground by security guards and delegates attending the conference in Sofia.

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More News On Yesterday's Failed Assassination Attempt In Bulgaria

Ahmed Dogan attacked by armed assailant in Bulgaria -- BBC
Bulgarian Politician Targeted By Gunman -- Radio Free Europe
Man points gun at leader of Bulgaria's Turkish party -- Reuters
Faulty gun spares Bulgarian party head's life -- The Australian/The Times
Gas-pistol attack on Bulgaria politician fails -- AFP
3 Blank Cartridges, No Magazine Found in Dogan Attacker's Pistol -- Novinite
Bulgarian PM: Dogan Attack 'Probably Not Staged' -- Novinite