Europe and the Bulgarian General Election, 25th June 2005

• The election ended eight years of opposition for the Bulgarian Socialist Party which as part of Coalition for Bulgaria received 34.17% of the vote (82 seats), but failed to ensure an overall majority. • Seven parties and coalitions – managed to carve out parliamentary presence resulting in the most fragmented and variegated configuration since the beginning of the transition period with no obvious model for a stable coalition government. • One surprise from the election was the breakthrough of an anti-establishment formation in the face of Coalition Attack which gained a high level of support and effectively positioned itself as the fourth largest parliamentary group in the 40th National Assembly. • A second surprise was the doubling of the number of votes for the Movement for Rights and Freedoms which achieved the best election result since the party was formed. • Overall, the election result worked in favour of small parties which gained votes at the expense of Coalition for Bulgaria and National Movement Simeon II. • The turnout of 55.7% was the lowest in parliamentary elections since 1990 irrespective of measures that aimed to enhance the degree of participation such as the introduction of an election draw; increasing the number of voting sections abroad and staging expensive media orchestrated election campaigns. • The highlight of the campaign was a shift in the energies of the parties with frequent, professionally designed commercials on national TV stations which accentuated the parties’ major strengths and election pledges. • Europe was not a salient issue in the election campaign of any party including those with marginal chances for parliamentary presence and more populist appeals such as New Time, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, Coalition People’s Union and National Union Attack.