Parvanov vs. Siderov The forecast of FOCUS News turned out to be closest to the actual result of the Presidential elections in Bulgaria held on Sunday. Georgi Parvanov has 60% support. Volen Siderov, a candidate of the nationalist party Attack has more than 20%. The readers of FOCUS News Agency were informed throughout the day. The information was confirmed after the end of the vote.
According to the National Public Opinion Research Center the voter turnout at the Presidential elections in Bulgaria was 38%.
Georgi Parvanov: 64%
Volen Siderov: 20%
Nedelcho Beronov: 11%
Georgi Markov: 3%



Georgi Parvanov: I Expect all Party Leaders to Declare Their Stand

Sofia. I expect all party leaders, including the rightist ones, to declare their stand. If they are against me, I will not be offended. I will find it most difficult to understand the lack of stand”, a journalist of FOCUS News Agency reported. Parvanov said that a considerable part of the supporters of the centrist National Movement Simeon II (NMSII) had vote din favour of him.
“I want to stress again that I have never bound the three-party coalition to the presidential elections”, Parvanov said.



Georgi Parvanov: Our Policy's European Trend Strongly Confirmed

Sofia. “The European trend of our policy has been strongly confirmed”, Bulgaria’s President and candidate for a second term of office Georgi Parvanov said at a press conference answering a question of FOCUS News Agency journalist Maria Stalyanova.
“Bulgaria’s European future is not questioned at all. Just on the contrary, the result is rather a positive one”, Parvanov stated.
“There is a firm support again for our European policy and all its aspects. Of course, there are lessons and questions, which we have to respond to”, Parvanov said.
Commenting on the support for Attack Party, which is higher in these elections than the one in the previous elections, Parvanov said that it was a result of the radical vote.
“Because of the lack of other radical leaders, Attack’s leader garnered all these votes”, Parvanov stated.



Georgi Parvanov: It is Much Easer to Defeat Volen Siderov

Sofia. “It is much easier to defeat Volen Siderov”, Georgi Parvanov said at press conference, a journalist of FOCUS News Agency reported. According to him, the rightist candidate Nedelcho Beronov represented a real political alternative, which was not defended. However, it is not his fault. He behaved with dignity. Besides, he joined the presidential campaign very late in comparison to the other candidates”, Parvanov stated.



Georgi Parvanov: Siderov’s Policy of Ku Klux Klan in Bulgaria is Fatal

Sofia. There has always been a radical vote in Bulgaria – in presidential, parliamentary and local elections, the socialist President Georgi Parvanov said commenting on the expected runoff vote between him and the nationalist presidential candidate Volen siderov, a journalist of FOCUS News Agency reported. “This radical vote is assuming an ethnic and religious character and is turning into a threat”, Parvanov said.
“The fact that Siderov is conducting the policy of Ku Klux Klan inside Bulgaria, is fatal”, Parvanov stated.



Georgi Parvanov: Period of Transition Hasn’t Seen Presidential Support of 60%

Sofia. “For the last fifteen years that I have participated in politics, I have realized that such press conferences following the announcement of election results are among the most difficult experiences. I remember well the victories and defeats and I have always asserted that I accept the results, no matter what they are, and I think that the voters’ opinion is the most just one”, a journalist of FOCUS News Agency reported. Parvanov added that there were no facts, which could question the first round of the presidential elections.
“I thank all Bulgarian voters, who supported us and trusted us in the five-year term of office. I’m not sure whether I’m right, but I don’t remember any other result during the period of the transition, when the winner has garnered above 60%, as it is expected to be this time. The success is even more valuable…I thank all voters, who cast a ballot, no matter which of the candidates they supported”, Parvanov said at a press conference taking place in the National Palace of Culture.



Georgi Parvanov: I Voted for a Calm and Stable Bulgaria

Sofia. “I voted for a calm and stable Bulgaria that provides chance to young people to find work in their country”, the nominee for second term in office Georgi Parvanov announced minutes after he and his wife Zorka Parvanova cast their ballots”, FOCUS Agency reporter announced.
“I voted for such a Bulgaria that gives opportunity to the elderly people to live with dignity; for a Bulgaria that creates another culture and climate in our relations. I voted for a President's institution that represents our idea for unity of the nation”, Parvanov added. He expressed his hope that the voter turnout will be high.



Nationalist Candidate for Vice-President: Real Fight for Change Starts from Now on

Sofia. The nationalist candidate for Vice-President Pavel Shopov greeted all the people who had voted in favour of him and the candidate for President Volen Siderov, a journalist of FOCUS News Agency reported.
“From now on, a real fight for a change starts. From now on, the division between leftists and rightists exists no longer. The demarcation divides the Bulgarians who want a better future of Bulgaria and the ones, who brought the country to the current situation. A new fight is forthcoming on the basis of this demarcation”, Shopov said.



Nationalist Presidential Candidate: I Expect Broad Support in Runoff Vote

Sofia. “I expect a broad support in the runoff vote”, nationalist presidential candidate Volen Siderov told FOCUS News Agency. He stated that the electorate of the Attack Party, which he heads, is a broad concept, and leftist, rightist and centrist supporters could join it. Siderov stressed that he was not interested in the percentage of support. According to him, it is more important for the Attack Party’s ideas to gain ground in Bulgaria.



Volen Siderov: I am Voting for Power that Will Oust Corrupted Politicians and Bulgarophobes

Sofia. “I am voting for a power that will have the courage, the bravery and the ambition to oust corrupted politicians and Bulgarophobes, as well as to seek revenge from all who performed genocide on the Bulgarian people”, Volen siderov, runner for president, nominated by the Attack party, said after casting his vote in 7th polling station in Krasno Selo in Sofia, FOCUS Agency reporter announced.
The Attack party's leader said that he will be competing against Georgi Parvanov at the run-off elections next week and that “he will put many political leaders in interesting situation”, he stressed.



26.7% of Ballots Counted; Georgi Parvanov Gets 59.92% of Votes

Sofia. On the basis of 26.7% of the ballot counted, current President and candidate for a second term of office Georgi Parvanov has received 59.92% of the votes, a journalist of FOCUS News Agency reported citing data of the Central Election Commission (CEC). The nationalist Volen Siderov has got 23.08%, the right-wing candidate Nedelcho Beronov – 11.7%, the other rightist candidate Georgi Markov – 3.3%, the nationalist Petar Beron – 0.87%, the third nationalist Grigor Velev – 0.63%, far-left General Lyuben Petrov – 0.54%.



NCIOM: Georgi Parvanov – 64%, Volen Siderov – 20%

Sofia. According to data of the National Public Opinion Research center (NCIOM), the voter turnout in the presidential elections was 38%. The socialist President Georgi Parvanov garnered 64%, the nationalist Volen Siderov got 20%, the right-wing candidate Nedelcho Beronov – 11%, the other rightist candidate Georgi Markov – 3% and all the rest candidates – 2% of the votes, NCIOM told FOCUS News Agency.



NCIOM: Parvanov – 65%, Siderov – 20%, Beronov – 10%

Sofia. Data of the National Public Opinion Research Center (NCIOM) shows that the voter turnout in the presidential elections in Bulgaria was 43%. Exit polls show that the socialist President Georgi Parvanov got 65%, the nationalist Volen Siderov – 20%, the right-wing candidate Nedelcho Beronov – 10%, the other rightist candidate Georgi Markov – 2.5% and all the rest candidates – 2.5%, NCIOM told FOCUS News Agency.



Average Voter Turnout in Bulgaria’s Presidential Elections is 42.51%

Sofia. The average voter turnout in the presidential elections in Bulgaria is 42.51%, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC). The highest voter turnout was registered in northeastern Bulgarian town of Shumen – 60.22%, followed by Targovishte – 56.68% and Silistra – 56%, a journalist of FOCUS News Agency reported.



Comments by Bulgarian Presidential Candidates and Politicians (REVIEW)

Sofia. Immediately after the announcement of the exit polls, current President and candidate for a second term of office Georgi Parvanov congratulated all the voters who supported him on the convincing result.
“I have no worries, having in mind this result. The interesting is to follow”, Parvanov stated commenting the results, which point to a runoff vote between him and the nationalist Volen Siderov.

Volen Siderov also thanked the people who voted for him. “I appreciate this huge confidence”, Siderov said. He asserted that he would seek any political support in the runoff vote. “I do not divide people according to their political views and I will say one clear message to all Bulgarians – that we should place Bulgaria on a new base and take it out of the process of feudalism”. He added that it was early to predict the result of the runoff vote.

“I think I have united the rightist voters”, right-wing candidate and chair of the Constitutional Court Nedelcho Beronov told journalists. He stressed that he had a considerable success in small and medium towns. “Everywhere people were telling us that we are unifiers of the right wing and I myself think so”, he added. When asked what he would do as of tomorrow, Beronov answered: “As of tomorrow, I will be a common man living a common life, just a usual pensioner”.

“The campaign was very severe and the voter turnout of 41% is absolutely commensurate to the one in 2001. I think the voter turnout is not unusual”, the Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev said on his entering the National Palace of Culture, where the presidential candidates will give press conferences later on. According to Stanishev, these elections can be characterized by the maxim “Why should I vote, when it is clear who will win”. However, the Prime Minister highlighted that the leftist voters were very motivated and the current head of state had a convincing lead.

Deputy leader of the ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) Lyutvi Mestan stated that the party had actively supported the candidates for President and Vice-President – Georgi Parvanov and Angel Marin. The average voter turnout in the country is not representative of the turnout of MRF’s supporters, who have to be congratulated on their participation in the elections, Mestan stated. According to him, the MRF’s voters showed again that Bulgaria could rely on them, when the civilized choice for the country’s progress has to be defended.

Commenting on the results of the first round of the presidential elections, the leader of Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) Ivan Kostov said: “It’s a heavy defeat not only for Nedelcho Beronov, but also for the democratic process in the country, because Georgi Parvanov and Volen Siderov will go to a runoff vote”. According to Kostov, all the parties, which backed Beronov, have to be held responsible for the defeat. He stressed that he didn’t intend to resign.

“DSB can vote neither for a former communist and an agent of the former State Security Service, nor for a nationalist and populist”, deputy leader of DSB Ekaterina Mihaylova said. She added that the low voter turnout was due to the weak campaign. She described the election campaign as populist. “The difficult late talks impeded the success of the candidate Nedelcho Beronov”, Mihaylova stated.

According to Stefan Sofianski, leader of the Union of Free Democrats (UFD), there is no winner in these elections. He added that the rightists’ defeat was predetermined and the low voter turnout was a heavy blow on Parvanov.



NCIOM: Georgi Parvanov – 65%; Volen Siderov – 20%; Nedelcho Beronov – 10%

Sofia. According to the data provided by the parallel vote counting by the National center for Public Opinion Surveys (NCIOM) the voter turnout at the Bulgarian presidential elections today, October 22nd, was 43%.
The results so far are as follows: Georgi Parvanov gets 65%; Volen Siderov – 20%; Nedelcho Beronov – 10%; Georgi Markov – 2.5%, and all the rest of the candidates – 2.5%.



GALLUP: Georgi Parvanov – 63.47%; Volen Siderov – 21.95%; Nedelcho Beronov – 9.55%

The first results from the parallel vote counting by GALLUP sociological agency provides the following percentages for the runners for president:

Georgi Parvanov - 63.47%;
Volen Siderov – 21.95%
Nedelcho Beronov – 9.55%
Georgi Markov - 2,77%
Gen. Lyuben Petrov – 0.93%
Prof Grigor Velev – 0.78%



Exit Polls: Georgi Parvanov Receives between 60% and 65%, Volen Siderov – 20%-23% (REVIEW)

Sofia. Public opinion research agencies indicate that the socialist Georgi Parvanov has garnered between 60% and 65% and the nationalist Volen Siderov – between 20% and 23%. According to the National Public Opinion Research Center (NCIOM), Parvanov has got between 60% and 63%, Siderov – between 20% and 23%, the right-wing candidate Nedelcho Beronov – between 11% and 12%, the other rightist candidate Georgi Markov – between 2% and 3%. Exit polls of Alpha Research show that Parvanov has been supported by 65.6%, Siderov – 20.1%, Beronov – 9.8%, Georgi Markov – 2.8%, the other nationalist candidate Petar Beron – 0.8%, the third nationalist Prof. Grigor Velev – 0.6% and the far-left General Lyuben Petrov – 0.3%.
According to MBMD, the voter turnout was about 40% now and there will be a runoff vote for sure. Parvanov is at the head – 61.6%, second is Volen Siderov – 21.9% and third is Nedelcho Beronov – 11.9%. Georgi Markov has got 2.5%. The candidates, who have garnered below 1% are General Lyuben Petrov, Grigor Velev and Petar Beron.
According to Sova Haris 64.5% of the voters have supported Georgi Parvanov; Volen Siderov got 19.6%; Nedelcho Beronov - 10.9%; Georgi Markov - 2.6%; Petar Beron - 1%; Gen. Lyuben Petrov - 0.7%; and Prof. Grigor Velev - 0.3%.
According to preliminary data provided by GALLUP, 64.60% have voted for Georgi Parvanov, and 20.23% - for Volen Siderov. Nedelcho Beronov remains third with 10.20%.
Exit polls of Scala Agency reveal that Georgi Parvanov has got 60.90%, Siderov – 22.2%, Beronov – 11.8%.



Alpha Research: Socialist Georgi Parvanov Supported by 54% of Voters in Sofia

Sofia. The socialist Georgi Parvanov has been supported by 54% of the voters in Sofia; right-wing candidate Nedelcho Beronov – by 23%, and the nationalist Volen Siderov – by 14%, according to exit polls of Alpha Research announced on BNT. A total of 55% of voters in district cities have supported Parvanov, 27% - Volen Siderov and 12% - Nedelcho Beronov. In smaller towns the results are as follows – Parvanov 62%; Siderov – 25% and Beronov – 9%. In villages, the results are as follows – Parvanov – 70%, Siderov – 21% and Beronov – 5%.



MBMD: Parvanov – 61.6%, Siderov – 21.9%, Beronov – 11.9%

Sofia. The voter turnout was 40% up till now and there will be a runoff vote for sure, MBMD sociologist Mira Yanova said on Nova Television. She added that the socialist Georgi Parvanov is at the head – 61.6%, second is the nationalist Volen Siderov – 21.9% and third is the right-wing candidate and chair of the Constitutional Court Nedelcho Beronov – 11.9%. The other rightist candidate Georgi Markov, former constitutional judge, got 2.5%. The candidates, who have garnered below 1% are the far-left General Lyuben Petrov, the nationalist Grigor Velev and the third nationalist candidate Petar Beron.



Deutsche Welle: Run-off Poll Likely in EU-entrant Bulgaria

Berlin/Sofia. Exit polls from Sunday's presidential election in Bulgaria indicate that voter turnout was lower than 50 percent which would mean a runoff poll next weekend, Deutsche Welle reports. One survey showed just 41 percent. The eventual winner will lead Bulgaria into the European Union next year. Analysts widely expect incumbent Socialist President Georgi Parvanov to face a run-off challenge from the ultra-nationalist Volen Siderov whose party Attack had opposed EU entry.


Runoff Vote Expected between Socialist Georgi Parvanov and Nationalist Volen Siderov

Sofia. Data of the National Public Opinion Research Center (NCIOM) shows that up till 6 p.m. the voter turnout was 35%. The socialist Georgi Parvanov won between 60% and 63%; the nationalist leader of the Attack Party, Volen Siderov – between 20% and 23%; right-wing candidate Nedelcho Beronov – between 11% and 12%; the other rightist candidate Georgi Markov – between 2% and 3%, NCIOM told FOCUS News Agency. Considering these results, a runoff vote will be held next Sunday between Parvanov and Siderov.




AP: Bulgaria's Parvanov casts ballot in presidential election, voter turnout low in 1st 4 hours

Sofia. Bulgarians are to choose the president who will lead their country into the European Union Sunday, the AP writes.
The AP further says that favored incumbent Georgi Parvanov is likely heading into an embarrassing run-off with an ultranationalist.
Polling stations in the Balkan country of 7.8 million opened at 6 a.m. (0300 GMT) and close at 7 p.m. (1600 GMT). Four hours after polls opened, turnout was just 5.5%, said Ralitsa Negentsova, a spokeswoman for the Central Electoral Commission. Voter apathy fueled mainly by frustration with the tough economic and social reforms that ultimately ensured the Balkan country met requirements to join the European Union on Jan. 1 could shatter Parvanov's hopes for easy victory in the first round. If turnout is low, a second round will be held on Oct. 29. But with polls indicating that less than 40% of Bulgaria's 6.4 million eligible voters will turn out, Parvanov could end up in a run-off against ultranationalist Volen Siderov. Parvanov said Sunday he counted on a high turnout.
"I voted for a calm and stable Bulgaria" he added after casting his ballot.



PM Stanishev: These Elections Will Define Bulgaria's fate over the Next 5 Years

Sofia. “These elections will be a choice between voting for the future and past, between separation and hatred”, Bulgaria's Prime Minister Sergey Stanishev said after casting his ballot in polling station 43 at the National Music School 'Lyubomir Pipkov' in Sofia, FOCUS Agency reporter announced.
In his words these elections will be important because they will define the fate of the country over the next 5 years, as well as the kind of president whith whom we'll access the EU after 1st January 2007”.



Nominee Beronov: I Voted for European Future of Bulgaria

Sofia. “I voted for the European future of Bulgaria with the confidence that with joint efforts we will be able to intensify our accession to the EU”, the nominee for president Nedelcho Beronov said after casting his ballot together with his wife in polling station 19 at the 119th school 'Mihail Arnaudov' in Sofia, FOCUS Agency reporter announced.
“I have real hopes for the things to get better because after all meetings with people they gave me an example that I can count on their support”, Beronov added.



Bulgaria Elects President

Sofia. The vote for President and Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria are taking place today. The election day in the country starts at 6:00 a.m. and will close at 19:00 p.m. in accordance with the law. According to the statistics provided by the Chief Department of Citizens Registration and Administrative Service the total number of the voters in the country is 6,446,085. 3,342,836 are men and 3,103,249 are women from the total number of the voters. 137,924 voters will have the right to vote for the first time in their life.
Bulgariand are going to vote for the first time with integral ballot in transparent ballot-boxes. According to the law the election campaign is forbidden on the election day. No opinion poll results are permitted either. The total of 7 nominees are participating in the elections. They are: Nedelcho Beronov, Lyuben Petrov, Georgi Parvanov, Grigor Velev, Petar Beron, Volen Siderov, Georgi Markov.