File photo by Sofia Photo Agency
A total of four political parties will surely enter Bulgaria’s Parliament after the May 12 elections, according to a new poll.
The poll conducted by the National Center for Public Opinion Research suggests that some 23,6% of voters would support the center-right GERB, while the left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party would gather 17.7%.
The ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms comes third with 6.0%, followed by the ultranationalist Ataka (4.9%).
The Bulgaria for Citizens movement of former EU Commissioner Meglena Kuneva is projected to garner 3% of the votes, thus not able to pass the 4% threshold required to enter Parliament.
The Democrats for Strong Bulgaria party of former PM Ivan Kostov (1997-2001) and the populist National Front for Salvation of Bulgaria stand an outside chance, according to the poll.
The center-right government of former PM Boyko Borisov resigned amid massive anti-poverty protests in February, prompting President Rosen Plevneliev to adjourn the Parliament, appoint a caretaker Cabinet and schedule snap elections for May 12.