2013–14 Bulgarian protests against the Oresharski cabinet

There will be a second round in Sofia and a number of regional cities. GERB remains the strongest party, the BSP improves its results and goes on a run-off in a number of regional cities. The big surprise of the vote is the breakthrough of the independent candidate Boris Bonev in Sofia. At the same time, Bulgaria rejected national populists.

According to a survey by Alpha Research polling agency, at the end of December 48% of the Bulgarians said they would vote in the European elections. Every second from the rest will either not vote or has not yet decided how to proceed. The survey was conducted from 14 to 19 December among a nationally representative sample of 1,027 adult Bulgarians, reports BNT. 

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov held a working breakfast with the ambassadors of the European Union countries, organized by the Austrian Embassy in Bulgaria as the rotating President of the EU Council, reported the Bulgarian National Television.

The meeting discussed topical issues on the European agenda.

The Russian Ambassador in Bulgaria, Anatoly Makarov, told Nova TV that the Bulgarian reaction to calling the Bulgarian ambassador from Moscow is understandable and correct. According to him, national interests should not be forgotten because of solidarity. Makarov added that Russia has always been and will be a reliable partner of Bulgaria and the European Union.

 The Parliament approved the request from Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) to dismiss Valeri Zhablyanov as Deputy President of the Parliament, BNT reports. The proposal was adopted with 110 to 71 votes.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) is putting a motion of no confidence in the government on corruption law today.

After a series of meetings with the Movement For Rights and Freedoms (DPS), it turned out that there were differences and the party would not vote with the Socialists.

''Russia is not a threat to Bulgaria.'' This was stated by General Prosecutor of Russia Yuri Chayka during his meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, a reporter at BGNES reported.

A Bulgarian national has been detained in the UK capital, London, on suspicions of having committed a murder, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry has reported.

The Bulgarian embassy in London has been informed of the incident.

An investigation is ongoing.

Former Bulgarian Prime Minister and GERB leader Boyko Borisov has declared his party will remain in opposition unless it wins the upcoming parliamentary election.

"In this case, the people will have elected another leader," Borisov has explained in an interview with Nova TV his choice not to seek the realization of a second term if his political party is not first.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) has a narrow edge on conservative GERB less than a month before the early election in March, a new poll shows.

According to the Market Links survey, some 21.4% of respondents would vote for the BSP if elections were to be held on February 27.