Nearly six months before the forthcoming local elections in the autumn, nearly a half of Bulgarians state that they do not intend to participate in the elections, while 17 % are certain that they will not vote.

This is shown by the latest opinion poll of Sova Harris, which had been conducted between March 12 and 18 and was released on Wednesday.

If the local elections were to take place today, Bulgaria's main ruling party GERB would win with 20.2 % of the votes, followed by BSP and DPS with respectively 12.8 % and 7.1 %.

The Reformist Bloc (RB) will be fourth with 3.4 % of the votes, followed by the Patriotic Front (PF) with 2.3 %, Ataka with 2.1 % and ABV with 1.6 %, Darik radio reports.

According to the agency, lower voter turnout will result in greater influence of controlled votes and vote buying, which can be compensated by introducing a greater element of majority voting.

GERB again seems to be the most-prepared party and the prospects for it achieving a landslide victory at the forthcoming elections look promising.

This is aided by its control over the state apparatus and institutions, its greater financial potential, its good positions among the local authorities and the high level of electoral support.

The failure of the Socialist-led coalition government of Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski remains a hurdle for BSP to establish its position as an adequate alternative.

The monopoly of BSP over the left political spectrum seems to be threatened due to the emergence of other left-wing parties.

Although DPS retains its traditionally stable position it is no longer acceptable as a coalition partner as it used to be among the other parties.

Since DPS is placed in isolation, it is highly likely that it will face a more consolidated resistance from its opponents in many regions at the forthcoming local elections.

Despite the limited electoral support for the Reformist Bloc (RB), it continues to be supported by majority of the country's intelligentsia.

The Patriotic Front (PF) and Ataka continue to compete in attracting more voters from the nationalist spectrum, with the PF having a slight advantage for the moment.

ABV is experiencing an identity crisis, as it continues to be supporting a right-wing government, but will have to face the candidates of its coalition partners at the forthcoming elections.

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