18% of Bulgarians to Not Vote in General Election - Poll

Eighteen percent of Bulgarian voters would not participate in the general election if it was to be held now, according to a recent poll.

The poll has been conducted by the ESTAT agency among 800 people between December 19 and 24.

Nearly the same percentage – 17.7% have responded that they could not say if they would vote or not.

21.4% would cast a ballot for the ruling center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, GERB; 11.2% for the right-wing Bulgaria for Citizens of former European Commissioner, Meglena Kuneva, which is not represented in the current Parliament, and 11% for the opposition, left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP.

The far-right, nationalist Ataka party has received 3.8% while the right-wing Union of Democratic Forces, UDF, and another new formation – New Alternative of former Defense Minister, Nikolay Tsonev, would get 3% each.

Other surprising results include just 1.2% for the ethnic Turkish party Movement for Rights and Freedoms, DPS.

The right-wing party of former Prime Minister, Ivan Kostov, Democrats for Strong Bulgaria, DSB, would get 1.4% of the ballots.

Kuneva's party has been noted as the most recognizable new party by 24.5% of the respondents, followed by GERB with 8.2%, and the party GORD (Proud) of MEP, Slavi Binev.