Bulgarians choose new president
Oct 28th 2006, 10:14 pm
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Bulgarians choose new president
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6095868.stm
Bulgarians choose new president
Bulgarians are voting in a presidential run-off to decide who will
steer the country to EU membership in 2007.
Incumbent Georgi Parvanov defeated Volen Siderov by 64% to 21% in the
first ballot two weeks ago. A turnout of less than 50% forced a second
round.
Mr Parvanov, a former socialist leader, is running as an independent. A
win will make him the first president to be re-elected since Communism
ended.
Mr Siderov, a former TV presenter, is from the nationalist party
Attack.
The 42% turnout in the first round was blamed on poverty among large
segments of the population and unhappiness over the government's
economic and social reforms.
There is no minimum turnout in the second round, where 50% of votes is
needed for victory. Mr Parvanov is tipped to win comfortably.
Mould-breaking
The presidency is largely a figurehead position - as power lies with
the prime minister - but the post exerts a stabilising influence.
BBC Central Europe correspondent Nick Thorpe says the first round broke
the traditional centre-left versus centre-right mould of Bulgarian
politics.
The centre-right candidate was relegated to a poor third - the climax
of years of division between several parties and personalities -
allowing ultra-nationalist Volen Siderov to emerge as Mr Parvanov's
main challenger.
Mr Parvanov, 49, is respected for his efforts to raise Bulgaria's
international profile ahead of Nato and EU membership.
'Racist and xenophobe'
Although Mr Siderov, 50, says he does not oppose EU membership, he
wants some chapters of the accession agreement revised in Bulgaria's
favour.
He has campaigned on issues which also concern Brussels, like
deep-seated corruption.
"On 29 October we face the choice of letting the mafia rule us for five
more years or eliminating it," Mr Siderov said on Friday.
He is also very critical of Bulgaria's large Turkish and Roma gypsy
minorities.
Such policies have led to opponents describing Mr Siderov as a racist
and xenophobe.
Mr Parvanov has sought to address some of his opponents' arguments in
his own campaign.
"We need a patriotism which unites and does not divide the nation," he
said in his final speech.
Initial projections are expected on Sunday evening.
Bulgarians choose new president
Bulgarians are voting in a presidential run-off to decide who will
steer the country to EU membership in 2007.
Incumbent Georgi Parvanov defeated Volen Siderov by 64% to 21% in the
first ballot two weeks ago. A turnout of less than 50% forced a second
round.
Mr Parvanov, a former socialist leader, is running as an independent. A
win will make him the first president to be re-elected since Communism
ended.
Mr Siderov, a former TV presenter, is from the nationalist party
Attack.
The 42% turnout in the first round was blamed on poverty among large
segments of the population and unhappiness over the government's
economic and social reforms.
There is no minimum turnout in the second round, where 50% of votes is
needed for victory. Mr Parvanov is tipped to win comfortably.
Mould-breaking
The presidency is largely a figurehead position - as power lies with
the prime minister - but the post exerts a stabilising influence.
BBC Central Europe correspondent Nick Thorpe says the first round broke
the traditional centre-left versus centre-right mould of Bulgarian
politics.
The centre-right candidate was relegated to a poor third - the climax
of years of division between several parties and personalities -
allowing ultra-nationalist Volen Siderov to emerge as Mr Parvanov's
main challenger.
Mr Parvanov, 49, is respected for his efforts to raise Bulgaria's
international profile ahead of Nato and EU membership.
'Racist and xenophobe'
Although Mr Siderov, 50, says he does not oppose EU membership, he
wants some chapters of the accession agreement revised in Bulgaria's
favour.
He has campaigned on issues which also concern Brussels, like
deep-seated corruption.
"On 29 October we face the choice of letting the mafia rule us for five
more years or eliminating it," Mr Siderov said on Friday.
He is also very critical of Bulgaria's large Turkish and Roma gypsy
minorities.
Such policies have led to opponents describing Mr Siderov as a racist
and xenophobe.
Mr Parvanov has sought to address some of his opponents' arguments in
his own campaign.
"We need a patriotism which unites and does not divide the nation," he
said in his final speech.
Initial projections are expected on Sunday evening.
