Bulgarian parliamentary election

If the European Parliament elections in Bulgaria were held today, the two main rivals would engage in a hotly-contested electoral battle, according to the Afis polling agency.

Bulgaria’s center-right GERB party MEP candidate Tomislav Donchev has invited socialist MEP candidate Sergei Stanishev to a political debate within the current election campaign.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has appointed former MP Metin Suleymanov from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) member of the Central Electoral Commission.

The lawmaker becomes part of CEC after Parliament approved on Tuesday an amendment to the recently-voted Election Code envisaging that the Commission be strengthened by one member, from 19 to 20.

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and ultra-nationalist Ataka are the parties with most solid electoral base for the upcoming European Elections.

If the elections for European Parliament were today, four Bulgarian parties would pass the 5.9% threshold, shows a survey of the Mediana agency. 

Bulgarian lawmakers adopted at first reading changes to the recently-approved Election Code, adding one member to the Central Electoral Commission.

The election watchdog will increase its staff from 19 to 20 if the measure voted on Thursday gains further support.

Four Bulgarian parties would win seats in the European Parliament if the elections were now, according to the latest survey of Sova Harris agency.

The ruling Socialist Party (BSP) increases its lead over the main opposition center-right GERB Party. The Socialists would receive 21.9% in the Euro-vote, while GERB would come second with 20.6%, the survey shows.

Bulgaria's Central Electoral Commission is to have a new Deputy Chair, short after its top members were appointed by Parliament.

Margariza Zlatareva, who was the center-right opposition GERB's candidate, has been declared deputy chief by Bulgarian lawmakers with the approval of MPs from GERB and ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS).

Bulgaria's center-right opposition party GERB has announced its list for May 25's European Elections.

Boyko Borisov, leader of center-right party GERB and former Bulgarian Prime Minister, has complained of rampant political repression to EC Vice-President Viviane Reding.