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===Controversy===
===Controversy===
The day before the election, a printing press in [[Kostinbrod]] was raided by the Bulgarian prosecution and 350 000 illegal ballots were recovered. The printing press' owner is GERB's town councilor Yordan Bonchev. Later it was found that the ballots were supposed to be sent to several key towns in Bulgaria. With a turnout of approximately 3.5 million voters, the illegal ballots would have given about 10% additional support for GERB. The prosecution continues its investigation.
''Al Jazeera'' reported voter apathy due to the aggressive anti - GERB campaign led by the ex-communist BSP party, and disappointment with politicians. During this campaign there were contrived allegations of fraud and an illegal wiretapping scandals, fake phone tapes, fabricated scandals, including during pre-election days, which is prohibited by Bulgarian laws. The day before the election, a printing press in [[Kostinbrod]] was raided and 350,000 alleged "illegally printed" ballots were recovered. It later turned out that these were scrap ballots unsuitable for use. Even though BSP was most likely behind all the contrived "scandals", BSP leader Sergey Stanishev kept repeating that this was a preparation for fraud with 10 percent of the electoral turnout being falsified for about 25 constituencies. He said: "This is a scandal unseen in Bulgaria so far." There was also allegations of illegal wiretapping of politicians. Prosecutors suggested former Interior Minister [[Tsvetan Tsvetanov]] was responsible with media revealing Borisov's alleged summons of Sofia's chief prosecutor to discuss details of the bribery probe. The [[OSCE]]'s monitoring delegation member Eoghan Murphy said of the fraudulent ballot papers: "It's not for us to investigate these matters. It is for the Bulgarian authorities, but we will be interested in their assessment of the situation and how they deal with the matter as reported."<ref name="aljaz"/>.
In the hours after the incident, GERB's main opponents - BSP, DPS and Attack, each held press conferences to comment the prevented falsification of the election. However neither of the three parties have not made a direct agitation, so the authorities did not order any sanctions.

Some of the allegations were so blunt that they practically insulted their target audience. Many observers comment that this massive and uncontrolled anti - GERB campaign might have had the opposite effect and actually helped GERB win the elections again. However, due to the fact that most of the pre-electioin BSP actions were largely illegal, GERB requested annulment and repeating the elections.


According to Bulgarian laws, a party enters the Parliament, it is entitled to large amounts of money for its term. Therefore several new parties were formed by citizens, allegedly resulting from the public discontent from the [[2013 Bulgarian protests]] and the months leading up to them. One such party is People's Voice, formed by [[Hipodil]] frontman [[Svetoslav Vitkov|Svetlio Vitkov]].<ref>[http://www.webcafe.bg/id_1074228840_Svetlyo_Vitkov_s_partiya_Glas_naroden Svetlio Vitkov with the "People's Voice" Party], WebCafe, 6 Oct 2012. Retrieved May 2013.</ref> Others were led by citizens using the ticket of parties which were already in existence, as they had not managed to fulfill the strict registration requirements in the two months between the government's resignation and the elections – one such party is the Democratic Citizens' Initiative.<ref>[http://offnews.bg/index.php/174121/protestat-si-napravi-partiya-iska-160-deputati The Protest With Its Own Party], [[OffNews]], 22 Mar 2013. Retrieved May 2013.</ref> In all cases, the citizens' parties still needed to collect the 7,000 signatures necessary for participating in the elections. <ref>[http://www.dnevnik.bg/izbori2013/2013/03/27/2030669_71_partii_iskat_da_uchastvat_na_predsrochniia/ 71 parties want to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections], [[Dnevnik (Bulgaria)|Dnevnik]], 27 mar 2013. Retrieved May 2013.</ref>
According to Bulgarian laws, a party enters the Parliament, it is entitled to large amounts of money for its term. Therefore several new parties were formed by citizens, allegedly resulting from the public discontent from the [[2013 Bulgarian protests]] and the months leading up to them. One such party is People's Voice, formed by [[Hipodil]] frontman [[Svetoslav Vitkov|Svetlio Vitkov]].<ref>[http://www.webcafe.bg/id_1074228840_Svetlyo_Vitkov_s_partiya_Glas_naroden Svetlio Vitkov with the "People's Voice" Party], WebCafe, 6 Oct 2012. Retrieved May 2013.</ref> Others were led by citizens using the ticket of parties which were already in existence, as they had not managed to fulfill the strict registration requirements in the two months between the government's resignation and the elections – one such party is the Democratic Citizens' Initiative.<ref>[http://offnews.bg/index.php/174121/protestat-si-napravi-partiya-iska-160-deputati The Protest With Its Own Party], [[OffNews]], 22 Mar 2013. Retrieved May 2013.</ref> In all cases, the citizens' parties still needed to collect the 7,000 signatures necessary for participating in the elections. <ref>[http://www.dnevnik.bg/izbori2013/2013/03/27/2030669_71_partii_iskat_da_uchastvat_na_predsrochniia/ 71 parties want to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections], [[Dnevnik (Bulgaria)|Dnevnik]], 27 mar 2013. Retrieved May 2013.</ref>

Revision as of 00:58, 17 May 2013

Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2013
← 2009 12 May 2013 (2013-05-12) 2017 →
All 240 seats to the Bulgarian Assembly
121 seats needed for a majority
Turnout51.3%
  First party Second party
 
Leader Boyko Borisov Sergei Stanishev
Party Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria BSP
Leader since 2006 2001
Last election 117 seats, 39.7% 40 seats, 17.7%
Seats won 97[1] 84
Seat change Decrease 20 Increase 44
Percentage 30.5% 26.6%
Swing Decrease 9.2 Increase 8.9
  Third party Fourth party
 
Leader Lyutvi Mestan Volen Siderov
Party DPS Ataka
Leader since 2013 2005
Last election 37 seats, 14.0% 21 seats, 9.4%
Seats won 36 23
Seat change Decrease 1 Increase 2
Percentage 11.3% 7.3%
Swing Decrease 2.7 Decrease 2.1
Prime Minister before election

Marin Raykov
Independent

Elected Prime Minister

TBD

Politics of Bulgaria
Constitution
Presidency
  • Executive
  • Legislative
Major political parties
Recent elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

Early parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria on 12 May 2013.[2] Protests had forced the resignation of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) government in February.[3]

No party won an absolute majority. GERB won a plurality of seats, although as of 15 May 2013 a governing coalition has not been formed.[4]

Background

The elections were originally scheduled to be held in July, but were brought forward following the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's government following nationwide protests over high electricity prices, the low standard of living and corruption.[5] The government resigned the day after clashes between the police and protesters led to bloodshed and a number of civilians being badly injured. It was claimed that some protesters had vandalised public property and acted violently towards the police. А caretaker government was appointed on 13 March 2013 by President Rosen Plevneliev to serve until the elections. On 28 February, Plevneliev announced the earliest possible date for the election would be 12 May.[6]

Campaign

As a result of the protests over electricity prices, the distribution license for Czech utility company ČEZ was revoked. President Rosen Plevneliev told parliament: "I believe that the necessary key changes in the laws should be decided by a new parliament. The decision is to hold elections."[6]

Former European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva broke from the National Movement for Stability and Progress, formed around Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. She claimed her new party would have significant support even though opinion polls indicated otherwise. She also indicated that it was likely her civil society organisation, Movement "Bulgaria of the Citizens", would become a party as it was "the only way to participate in elections." Rumours suggested she could be a coalition partner to GERB, but she played down such suggestions. In the Socialist party there was infighting over whether Sergei Stanishev or Georgi Parvanov would lead the party.[7]

Controversy

The day before the election, a printing press in Kostinbrod was raided by the Bulgarian prosecution and 350 000 illegal ballots were recovered. The printing press' owner is GERB's town councilor Yordan Bonchev. Later it was found that the ballots were supposed to be sent to several key towns in Bulgaria. With a turnout of approximately 3.5 million voters, the illegal ballots would have given about 10% additional support for GERB. The prosecution continues its investigation. In the hours after the incident, GERB's main opponents - BSP, DPS and Attack, each held press conferences to comment the prevented falsification of the election. However neither of the three parties have not made a direct agitation, so the authorities did not order any sanctions.

According to Bulgarian laws, a party enters the Parliament, it is entitled to large amounts of money for its term. Therefore several new parties were formed by citizens, allegedly resulting from the public discontent from the 2013 Bulgarian protests and the months leading up to them. One such party is People's Voice, formed by Hipodil frontman Svetlio Vitkov.[8] Others were led by citizens using the ticket of parties which were already in existence, as they had not managed to fulfill the strict registration requirements in the two months between the government's resignation and the elections – one such party is the Democratic Citizens' Initiative.[9] In all cases, the citizens' parties still needed to collect the 7,000 signatures necessary for participating in the elections. [10]

Opinion polls

Pollster Date GERB BSP DPS Ataka DSB UDF DBG Ref
NCIOM 10 May 34 25 13 9 [11]
Skala 10 May 26.8 26.4 11.5 9.2 4.0 3.1 5.4 [12]
Mediana 10 May 32.0 31.5 11.6 8.0 ~4 [13]
Gallup BBSS 10 May 29-35 28-32 10-12 7-9 3-5 [14]
Alfa Research 9 May 33 28 10 7.5 2.7 2 4 [15]
Afis 8 May 21.8 19.5 6.0 5.8 3.4 [16]
MBMD 29 April 28.3 18.7 5.2 5.2 ~2 4.1 [17]
NCIOM 28 April 23.6 17.7 6.0 4.9 3.0 [18]
Mediana 25 April 23.3 21.4 6.2 5.5 2.1 0.9 4.5 [19]
CAM 24 April 24.1 18.2 6.1 4.8 1.2 1.0 4.4 [20]
Afis 19 April 24.0 18.9 5.0 5.4 1.1 0.7 3.1 [21]
NCIOM 19 April 23.9 17.5 6.2 5.2 2.0 0.7 3.1 [22]
Alfa Research 18 April 22.5 16.9 4.8 4.9 1.8 0.6 2.9 [23]
Gallup BBSS 17 April 22.8 19.9 4.9 5.7 1.2 1.2 3.9 [24]
Mediana 12 April 26.4 23.7 5.8 6.2 2.4 1.8 4.5 [25]
NCIOM 4 April 24.4 17.5 6.5 5.0 2.0 0.7 3.5 [26]
MBMD 2 April 30.1 15.6 5.0 4.4 2.7 [27]
Skala 2 April 25.3 20.2 14.0 9.9 6.0 [28]
Modern Politics 2 April 24.8 20.6 5.6 4.9 3.6 0.7 4.3 [29]
Alfa Research 1 April 21.9 17.4 4.8 5.5 1.8 0.6 3.9 [30]
Sova Harris 23 March 19.0 18.7 5.2 5.0 0.7 0.7 1.6 [31]
Mediana 17 March 21.3 20.4 7.9 4.3 1.5 1.4 5.1 [32]
Gallup BBSS 15 March 19.7 18.6 5.2 5.0 0.7 0.7 3.0 [33]
Modern Politics 8 March 24.1 20.3 4.6 3.6 2.1 1.1 2.7 [34]
Mediana 15 February 19.3 22.5 6.8 3.6 1.4 1.6 5.9 [35][36][37]
Gallup BBSS 14 February 22.6 22.1 7.3 1.2 1.3 0.9 4.8 [38][39]
Last election 5 July 2009 39.7 17.7 14.0 9.4 6.8 —

Results

There were 6.9 million eligible voters. Voting ended at 21:00. There were also over 250 international electoral monitors.[40] Turnout was 51.3%. Four parties passed the electoral threshold, winning seats in parliament. These four parties account for only 75.76% of all valid ballots cast.

Party Votes % Seats +/−
Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria 1,081,605 30.54 97 −20
Bulgarian Socialist Party 942,541 26.61 84 +44
Movement for Rights and Freedoms 400,466 11.31 36 −1
Attack 258,481 7.30 23 +2
National Front for the Salvation of Bulgaria 131,169 3.70 0 New
Bulgaria for Citizens Movement 115,190 3.25 0 New
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria 103,638 2.93 0 −5
IMRO – Bulgarian National Movement 66,803 1.89 0 New
Lider 61,482 1.74 0 0
Order, Law and Justice 59,145 1.67 0 −10
Center–Freedom and Dignity 57,611 1.63 0 New
Union of Democratic Forces 48,681 1.38 0 −9
People's Voice 47,419 1.34 0 New
Green Party 26,520 0.75 0 0
New Alternative 18,267 0.52 0 New
Proud Bulgaria 16,126 0.46 0 New
Democratic Civil Initiative 15,482 0.44 0 New
Civil List–Modern Bulgaria 14,352 0.41 0 New
Liberal Alliance 8,873 0.25 0 New
Bulgarian Agrarian National Union 7,715 0.22 0 0
Party of Bulgarian Women 6,545 0.19 0 New
Bulgarian Left 5,924 0.17 0 0
Union of Communists in Bulgaria 6,168 0.17 0 New
United People's Party 6,143 0.17 0 New
Bulgarian Spring 4,097 0.12 0 New
Christian Party of Bulgaria 3,722 0.11 0 New
Middle European 3,539 0.10 0 New
National Democratic Party 3,445 0.10 0 New
Democratic Alternative for National Unification 3,414 0.10 0 New
National Patriotic Unity 3,239 0.09 0 New
Democratic Party 3,160 0.09 0 New
The Other Bulgaria 2,497 0.07 0 0
Cause Bulgaria 2,234 0.07 0 New
National Unity Movement 1,786 0.05 0 New
Christian Social Union 1,687 0.05 0 New
Social Democrat Party 1,300 0.04 0 0
Invalid/blank votes 90,047 – – –
Total 3,541,745 100 240 0
Registered voters 6,919,260 51.33 – –
Source: Central Electoral Commission

Reactions

The election was noted for its low voter turnout. After voting finished, about 50 protesters congregated outside the election centre at the Palace of Culture in Sofia demanding GERB not be given a chance to form a new government. The protesters chanted "mafia" and were involved in brief scuffles with the police.[41] Sergei Stanishev, leader of the second-place Bulgarian Socialist Party and likely organizer of the protests, dismissed GERB's chances of forming a government and expressed willingness to negotiate with the other two parties. Some absurd coalitions were discussed, for example, a coalition between the ethnic Turkish DPS party and their "arch-enemy", the communist BSP party, largely responsible for persecution and forceful assimilation of Turks in the 1980s. Even more absurd coalition was in discussions - between the ultra - right nationalistic anti - Turkish "Attack" party and the Turkish DPS party. These proposed coalitions put some questions on the credibility of the protests and their real goals. [4] GERB set a precedent by not holding the traditional post-election press conference for elected parties, and they stayed out of the media for four days until the finalized results came out on Thursday. [42]

Analysis

As the party winning a plurarity GERB have the first opportunity to form a government, however commentators speculated that it would be difficult for them to obtain sufficient support from other groups.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.vesti.bg/index.phtml?tid=40&oid=5773331
  2. ^ Bulgaria Elections 2013 ftp Headlines, 24 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Q&A: Bulgaria's parliamentary elections". BBC. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  4. ^ a b c "Bulgaria faces post-election uncertainty". Al Jazeera. 2013-05-13. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  5. ^ Cage, Sam. "Bulgarian government resigns amid growing protests". Reuters. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  6. ^ a b "Bulgaria president calls May election after protests". Reuters. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
  7. ^ byClive Leviev-Sawyer (2012-03-13). "The long, long road to Bulgaria's 2013 parliamentary elections - Opinion". The Sofia Echo. Retrieved 2013-05-11.
  8. ^ Svetlio Vitkov with the "People's Voice" Party, WebCafe, 6 Oct 2012. Retrieved May 2013.
  9. ^ The Protest With Its Own Party, OffNews, 22 Mar 2013. Retrieved May 2013.
  10. ^ 71 parties want to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, Dnevnik, 27 mar 2013. Retrieved May 2013.
  11. ^ "НЦИОМ: ГЕРБ с 9% преднина пред БСП". Блиц. 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  12. ^ "Скала: ГЕРБ и БСП изравниха, шест партии в парламента". Отблизо. 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  13. ^ ""Галъп": Паритет между ГЕРБ и БСП, "Медиана": основните политически опоненти са наравно". Dnevnik. 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  14. ^ ""Галъп": Паритет между ГЕРБ и БСП, "Медиана": основните политически опоненти са наравно". Dnevnik. 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  15. ^ ""Алфа Рисърч": Четири партии влизат в парламента, една е почти сигурна". Dnevnik. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
  16. ^ ""Афис": Кампанията възкреси РЗС, поне пет партии влизат в парламента". Dnevnik. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
  17. ^ "Борисов вкарва 108 депутати в следващото НС, изчисли МБМД". dnes.bg. 2013-04-29. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
  18. ^ "НЦИОМ: ГЕРБ - 23,6%, БСП - 17,7%, 22% се колебаят". 24 часа. 2013-04-28. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
  19. ^ "Разликата между ГЕРБ и БСП се топи". Труд. 2013-04-25. Retrieved 2013-04-26.
  20. ^ "New Poll Gives GERB 6% Lead over Bulgaria's Socialists". 2013-04-24. Retrieved 2013-04-25.
  21. ^ ""Афис": ГЕРБ е изчерпала потенциала си, БСП има накъде да расте до изборите". в. Дневник. 2013-04-19. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  22. ^ "НЦИОМ: ГЕРБ запазва преднината си пред БСП". в. Труд. 2013-04-19. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
  23. ^ ""Алфа Рисърч": ГЕРБ запазва преднината пред БСП, избирателната активност расте". dnevnik.bg. 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  24. ^ "Шансовете на ГЕРБ и БСП остават „на кантар"". Преса. 2013-04-17. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  25. ^ "ГЕРБ срещу БСП с преднина 2,7%". Труд. 2013-04-11. Retrieved 2013-04-12.
  26. ^ "НЦИОМ: ГЕРБ - 24,4%, БСП - 17,5%". в. Труд. 2013-04-04. Retrieved 2013-04-04.
  27. ^ "МБМД огласи официално „онова" изследване". komentator.bg. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  28. ^ "ГЕРБ 25,3%, БСП 20,2". ПИК. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  29. ^ "Обществени нагласи през месец март". Институт за модерна политика. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  30. ^ ""Алфа Рисърч": Ако изборите бяха днес - ГЕРБ, БСП, ДПС, "Атака" и "България на гражданите" влизат в парламента". dnevnik.bg. 2013-04-01. Retrieved 2013-04-01.
  31. ^ "СДС и ДСБ са под чертата на изборите - Меглена Кунева също е аут, "Атака" върви нагоре". blitz.bg. 2013-03-23. Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  32. ^ "Отново ли "ГЕРБ на власт"?". Труд. 2013-03-18. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  33. ^ "Кунева губи, печели Волен". Преса. 2013-03-16. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  34. ^ "Обществени нагласи по време на криза". Институт за модерна политика. 2013-03-08. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  35. ^ "Bulgaria: Bulgarian Ruling Party Would Lose Elections". Novinite.com. 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  36. ^ ""Медиана": БСП изпреварва ГЕРБ". Труд. 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  37. ^ ""Медиана": БСП изпреварва ГЕРБ". 24 часа. 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  38. ^ a b "Според "Галъп" - по равно, "Медиана" даде предимство на БСП". frognews.com. 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-02-20.
  39. ^ "Кунева губи, печели Волен". Преса. 2013-03-16. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  40. ^ Deadlock feared after Bulgaria elections
  41. ^ Bulgaria election fails to end political stalemate
  42. ^ Borisov stays quiet, Stanishev Speaks (in Bulgarian), Deutsche Welle, 13 May 2013.
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