BBC Europe

Voting has begun in presidential elections in Bulgaria, with opinion polls suggesting that incumbent President Petar Stoyanov is the clear
favourite to win a second five-year term.

But his two main rivals - the Socialist Party leader, Georgi Parvanov, and a former interior minister, Bogomil Bonev, have been gaining ground.

The low turnout in the early hours appeared to reflect widespread apathy among voters, disillusioned about promises to improve their dismal living conditions.

This may also result in a second round run-off between the two front runners on 18 November if no candidate wins over half the eligible votes, or if turnout is below 50%.

The post of president in Bulgaria is largely ceremonial, but is important for the country's international image.

Gas masks and protective gloves were distributed to polling station for use by members of electoral commissions amid a worldwide anthrax scare.

Rough elections

Bulgarian experts had predicted that President Stoyanov would easily win the first round, as the incumbent president was showing almost 50% approval in pre-election polls.

But now analysts say he might narrowly miss a first round win.

The bespectacled, 49-year-old Mr Stoyanov has remained popular despite the waning fortunes of his former party, the Union of Democratic Forces.

They lost power in parliamentary elections in June to the movement named after the former king, Simeon II, who is now Bulgarian Prime Minister.

Mr Stoyanov, who is running as independent candidate, enjoys a backing both by the prime minister and the previously ruling UDF party.

But experts say his popularity has been dented by a heated election campaign, with all six candidates being increasingly engaged in a war of mudslinging.

All three leading contenders for the post agree on major issues, including country's determination to join both the European Union and NATO in the coming years.

The European Union has praised Bulgaria for recent reforms but criticised for high levels of corruption.

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