The low voter turnout in Bulgaria's first ever elections for the European Parliament came as no surprise the European Commission. Photo by European Parliament press center
The low voter turnout in Bulgaria's first ever elections for the European Parliament came as no surprise the European Commission.
"The turnout met our expectations. It was not much different than in 2004, when ten new member states had to hold MEP elections," Darik News quoted European Commission spokesman Mark Gray as saying.
"Of course, we would have been happy if more people turned out," Gray added.
Only 28,6% of Bulgaria's 6,7 million eligible voters cast their ballots on Sunday, still significantly higher than the 17% turnout in Slovakia and the 20% in Poland at their respective elections in 2004.