The leaders of Bulgaria's ruling coalition decided to hold the country's first elections for members of the European Parliament until the middle of May, 2007.

With the country's EU accession just around the corner, the three leaders in the coalition agreed on how exactly Bulgaria's MEPs would be elected.

Socialist PM Sergey Stanishev, centrist Simeon Saxe-Coburg and the leader of the ethnic Turkish party Ahmed Dogan, settled on having different ballots for each party.

With the name of Bulgaria's EC Commissioner already clear, parties in the country are now eagerly eyeing the MEP elections, hoping that a win there would present them with a strong weapon in securing the next government.

Newly-formed GERB, which was hatched out of the ranks of a civil movement by the same name led by Sofia Mayor Boyko Borisov, is already boasting that they plan to win at least seven MEP spots.

Last month reports said Bulgaria may vote for European Parliament Members on May 13, 2007, when Romanians will also head for the booths. The second reason is that Bulgaria has promised to elect its EU observers by December 31, 2007.

Currently Bulgaria has 18 - and Romania 35 - MP observers to the European Parliament. They represent the two aspiring states respectively, attend sessions and body meetings, but are deprived of the right to vote.

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