Bulgarians voted Sunday in early general elections, file photo
The center-right GERB party of former Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, won by a full 7% margin most votes in Bulgaria's general elections, tallying 34 % against the Socialists with 26%, according to an exit poll of the National Center for the Study of Public Opinion, NZIOM.
The voter turnout, according to the poll, was 44% by 6:30 pm, much lower than four years ago. Voting sections closed officially at 8 pm. The most active voters were the elderly, over the age of 60. The lowest voter turnout has been registered in the 18-29 age group.
Four Bulgarian parties will certainly make their way to Bulgaria's 42nd General Assembly, according to the exit poll.
In addition to GERB and the Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, the others are - the ethnic Turkish party Movement for Rights and Freedoms, DPS, with 8.5% and their self-proclaimed arch enemies the far-right nationalist Ataka (Attack) – 6.5%.
Stunningly for many, according to exit polls, none of the oldest "hardline" right-wing formations are going to be in the next Parliament, though one formation is close and might have a chance after all ballots are counted officially.
From the right-wing parties, which are credited with throwing out the ex-communists who had pushed the country to the brink of financial crisis in the 90s, only Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, DSB, of former Prime Minister Ivan Kostov could enter the 42nd General Assembly with 3.6%.
The right-wing Bulgaria for Citizens of former EU Commissioner, Meglena Kuneva is said to be close to the 4% threshold with 3.3%.