Bulgaria’s liberal Movement for Rights and Freedoms party has expectedly rejected President Rosen Plevneliev’s call for a referendum on new election rules.

In a televised address to the nation late on Wednesday, Plevneliev proposed a referendum in which Bulgarians will have their say on whether they want to elect some of their MPs directly rather than from party lists, voting made obligatory and electronic voting allowed.

MRF has now echoed its ruling coalition partner, the Bulgarian Socialist Party, by saying that Plevneliev’s proposal is an attempt to hinder the government’s efforts to pass a new election code.

“The President’s initiative is part of GERB’s scenario,” MRF leader Lyutvi Mestan told reporters on Thursday, referring to the center-right opposition party of former PM Boyko Borisov.

MRF, a predominantly ethnic Turkish party, is likely to be adversely affected by the introduction of obligatory voting, as its voters are perceived as particularly active.

If approved by Parliament, which appears highly unlikely, the referendum would take place along with the European elections in May.

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