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Conservatives win presidential poll, boost grip on power
Oct 31, 2011, 7:25 GMT
Sofia - Bulgaria's ruling conservative GERB party on Sunday boosted its grip on power with the victory of its candidate, Rosen Plevenliev, in presidential elections.
A former regional development minister, Plevenliev clearly defeated the opposition Socialist Ivaylo Kalfin with 55.3 to 44.7 per cent of the votes in the second round of the election, according to initial exit polls by the Gallup polling agency.
After ousting the Socialist-led coalition from power in 2009 elections, GERB now also controls the presidential office. The outgoing Socialist Georgi Parvanov served a maximum two terms and was not eligible to run again.
Though the president has a limited authority, the win clears the path for GERB to a smoother legislative process, as Plevenliev is unlikely to veto bills from Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's cabinet.
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