Bulgaria's ruling conservatives take presidency as well

By Boris Babic Oct 31, 2011, 7:26 GMT

Sofia - Bulgaria's ruling conservative GERB party secured a boost on Sunday, with its candidate Rosen Plevenliev heading for election to the largely ceremonial presidency following a second-round run-off, according to initial unofficial projections.

A former regional development minister, Plevenliev was clearly ahead of the opposition Socialist Ivaylo Kalfin, securing more than 55 per cent of the votes cast.

Plevenliev was the clear front-runner in last week's first round, but failed to secure an outright majority. The outgoing Socialist President Georgi Parvanov served a maximum two terms and was not eligible to run again.

Local and mayoral elections were also held on Sunday. The Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe monitored the elections.

GERB, led by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, ousted the Socialist-led coalition from power in the 2009 general elections.

The president in Bulgaria's parliamentary democracy has limited power, but the win clears the path for GERB to a smoother legislative process, as Plevenliev is unlikely to veto bills from Borisov's cabinet.

It also cements the authority of Borisov halfway through his term, especially as some of his allies since 2009 began withdrawing support for his minority cabinet this year.

GERB won the polls in 2009 by promising to fight the corruption that has cost Bulgaria hundreds of millions of dollars. Now Plevenliev has said that he wants to continue improving his country's tarnished image.

But the election was again marred by allegations of irregularity, particularly vote-buying among the poorest, mostly from the Roma population.

Bulgarian Socialists refused to acknowledge defeat and their leader, former prime minister Sergey Stanishev, said his party was considering attempting to have the vote annulled.

He accused GERB of 'rigging' the election and warned that 'we will not let them get off with it easily.' He accused the ruling party of 'buying votes, manipulating and intimidating.'

Although Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007, it has yet to meet EU judicial and other standards.