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| Bulgaria president poll under way | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The polls have opened open in Bulgaria in the country's presidential election. | |
| President Georgi Parvanov is expected to win a second five-year term, but will probably face a run-off. | President Georgi Parvanov is expected to win a second five-year term, but will probably face a run-off. |
| Opinion polls suggest Mr Parvanov could win 50% of the vote, but the predicted turnout is way below the required half of the electorate for outright victory. | Opinion polls suggest Mr Parvanov could win 50% of the vote, but the predicted turnout is way below the required half of the electorate for outright victory. |
| In a second round, he is likely to face Volen Siderov, leader of the nationalist Ataka party, who according to the polls is in second place. | In a second round, he is likely to face Volen Siderov, leader of the nationalist Ataka party, who according to the polls is in second place. |
| Mr Parvanov's other main rival is Nedelcho Beronov, former chairman of the constitutional court and presidential candidate of the centre-right. | Mr Parvanov's other main rival is Nedelcho Beronov, former chairman of the constitutional court and presidential candidate of the centre-right. |
| Although Bulgaria elects its president by direct vote, most power rests with the prime minister and parliament. | Although Bulgaria elects its president by direct vote, most power rests with the prime minister and parliament. |
| The president, however, has veto powers and can send bills back to parliament. He is also head of the armed forces and represents the country abroad. | The president, however, has veto powers and can send bills back to parliament. He is also head of the armed forces and represents the country abroad. |
| Secret police | Secret police |
| Mr Parvanov, who was elected president in 2001, is a former socialist leader. | Mr Parvanov, who was elected president in 2001, is a former socialist leader. |
| He played a major role in reforming his party following the severe economic crisis and hyperinflation in 1996, which forced the then socialist government to resign. | He played a major role in reforming his party following the severe economic crisis and hyperinflation in 1996, which forced the then socialist government to resign. |
| Earlier this year, Mr Parvanov admitted that he had worked with the former secret police, although he himself had never been an agent. | Earlier this year, Mr Parvanov admitted that he had worked with the former secret police, although he himself had never been an agent. |
| He has been a strong supporter of Bulgaria's EU membership bid. The country is set to join the EU on 1 January 2007. | He has been a strong supporter of Bulgaria's EU membership bid. The country is set to join the EU on 1 January 2007. |
| Last year, Mr Parvanov helped in the formation of the socialist-led governing coalition after inconclusive general elections. | Last year, Mr Parvanov helped in the formation of the socialist-led governing coalition after inconclusive general elections. |
| The prolonged negotiations threatened to delay key reforms and postpone Bulgaria's EU accession. | The prolonged negotiations threatened to delay key reforms and postpone Bulgaria's EU accession. |