Bulgaria's Election Results Under Scrutiny: Is a Recount on the Horizon?
Following the parliamentary elections held on October 27 in Bulgaria, questions have arisen regarding the possibility and timeline for a potential recount of ballots
Ex-journalist Nikolay Barekov, who heads the Bulgaria without Censorship-led coalition that came sixth in Sunday's early elections, has renounced his lawmaker seat, the party said in a statement.
He has taken the step to retain his seat in the European Parliament.
Barekov has already submitted his request at the Central Electoral Committee (CEC) that his name be withdrawn from party lists in the cities of Plovdiv and Varna, in both of which he was on top.
"My colleagues from [the EU Parliament's European Conservatives and Reformists] party applied positive pressure on me to develop my career at a high level and to be among the leading MEPs in the Energy Commission, as well as in the EU delegation negotiating with Russia and Iran," the statement quotes him as saying.
Bulgaria's largest party GERB and the Reformist Bloc have both taken a U-turn after initially saying they found it impossible to shake hands during the government consultations on Wednesday.
Bulgaria's Central Electoral Committee (CEC) fined the leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) Lyutvi Mestan and MP Hyusein Hafsuzov for solicitation in foreign language, which is forbidden by law.
The new National Assembly is to hold its opening session on October 27, at 14:00 EEST, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev announced.
Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev is set to meet on Wednesday all parties and coalitions entering the new Parliament after the October 5 early elections.
Right-wing Reformist Bloc is the third political force to meet conservative GERB as part of the consultations to form a coalition government with shared responsibility.
The centre-right GERB and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) will negotiate on Tuesday afternoon on the formation and support for new government.
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