Bulgarian Socialist Party

The lack of political will for immediate snap elections means that the Cabinet does not need to rush to resign, according to the leader of the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party.

In a Thursday interview, Stanishev noted that the reactions of the other political parties to the current situation made it clear that they did not want urgent early elections.

Co-ruling Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS)'s leader Lyutvi Mestan described compulsory voting as a "cynical" idea that would bring harm to Bulgarian politics.

"Mandatory voting will hurt the DPS. It also hurt the political system and will not treat, but only deepen its defects," private channel bTV quoted Mestan as saying before entering Parliament Thursday.

Support for Bulgaria's socialist-led government fell by 15% in the 15 days after the European Parliament elections, according to the Gallup International polling agency.

According to Gallup International data, as cited by bTV, 47% of the polled demand the resignation of the government headed by Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski, while 32% support it.

Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski has said he is ready to stand down on Tuesday next week, a Bulgarian private channel reports, citing sources.

According to bTV, he will deliver his resignation after attending a meeting of the Consultative Council for National Security called by President Rosen Plevneliev at which politicians are to set a date for early elections.

Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski is to reveal Friday in Parliament the truth about the South Stream project, his deputy Daniela Bobeva announced.

Rumen Yonchev, a former socialist lawmaker and now officially independent, has introduced a bill envisaging election legislation amendments that favour mandatory voting.

His move comes after the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP)'s leader Sergey Stanishev voiced his proposal that Bulgaria make it compulsory for its citizens to cast a ballot.

Lawmakers have approved all members of Bulgaria's Audit Office following a nearly three-hour debate.

With 111 to 80 votes, a total of nine people were appointed and sworn in, despite calls by the opposition that the ruling parties should not embark on such a move in the eve of resignation and early elections.

Bulgaria's Deputy Parliament Speaker Maya Manolova reaffirmed that the early elections should be as soon as possible, but July would not be a reasonable option.

"The elections should take place as soon as possible. Technically though, they cannot be in July. It is not Stanishev, but the President who has to appoint the date", Manolova said, quoted by Standartnews.

Bulgaria's Parliament is to discuss Wednesday the fifth no-confidence vote against the socialist-led government of Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski.

The fifth no-confidence motion is based on the failed financial policy of the Cabinet.

Volen Siderov, leader of nationalist party Ataka, has joined the calls for the resignation of Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski.