This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6071082.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Bulgarians vote for a president Bulgarians vote for a president
(about 2 hours later)
Bulgarians are going to the polls to elect a president for a five-year term. Bulgarians have gone to the polls to elect a president for a five-year term.
Incumbent Georgi Parvanov - who negotiated Bulgaria's entry into the EU - is facing a growing challenge from far-right candidate Volen Siderov. Incumbent Georgi Parvanov - who negotiated Bulgaria's entry into the EU - is expected to beat far-right candidate Volen Siderov.
Mr Parvanov is said to be favourite to retain his post, but his supporters fear he may not win enough votes to avoid a run-off ballot next Sunday. Mr Parvanov is thought to be leading Mr Siderov by a large margin, but his supporters fear the election may still have to go to a second ballot.
Mr Siderov, a flamboyant former TV host, has verbally attacked Bulgaria's Turkish and Roma minorities. Only 20% of eligible voters had turned out halfway through the day, fuelling fears of an inconclusive result.
Voter 'apathy'
The winning candidate needs to have at least 50% of the vote or else the election goes into a second round next Sunday.
Polling stations in the Balkans state are due to close at 1600GMT.
We should all vote and make a good choice Voter Stoyan Minchev
Voter apathy is thought to be largely responsible for the electorate turning out in such low numbers.
Stoyan Minchev, a 69-year old pensioner voting at a polling station at Sofia's Zapaden Park, said he wanted "a president with indisputable integrity and moral authority", the AP news agency said.
"They say the president has no powers so why vote, but he is our head of state after all, we should all vote and make a good choice," the agency quoted him as saying.
Mr Siderov, a flamboyant former TV host, has verbally attacked Bulgaria's Turkish and Roma minorities in the run-up to the election.
The BBC's Oana Lungescu says he has also capitalised on public anger with conventional politicians for their perceived failure to tackle poverty, corruption and organised crime.The BBC's Oana Lungescu says he has also capitalised on public anger with conventional politicians for their perceived failure to tackle poverty, corruption and organised crime.
Despite strong economic growth, Bulgaria will become the EU's poorest country once it joins, with half of its eight million people living under the poverty threshold.Despite strong economic growth, Bulgaria will become the EU's poorest country once it joins, with half of its eight million people living under the poverty threshold.
The third main candidate, running for a group of centre-right parties, is a former judge in his 70s, Nedelcho Beronov.The third main candidate, running for a group of centre-right parties, is a former judge in his 70s, Nedelcho Beronov.
Low turnout expectedLow turnout expected
Mr Parvanov, who is backed by the ruling socialist party, is credited with forming the centre-left coalition that has spearheaded Bulgaria's efforts to join the EU.Mr Parvanov, who is backed by the ruling socialist party, is credited with forming the centre-left coalition that has spearheaded Bulgaria's efforts to join the EU.
A former historian, he has reshaped the hard-line communist party into the pro-Western socialists, ensured that Bulgaria joined Nato in 2004, and is on track to become a member of the EU next January.A former historian, he has reshaped the hard-line communist party into the pro-Western socialists, ensured that Bulgaria joined Nato in 2004, and is on track to become a member of the EU next January.
Our correspondent says he remains one of Bulgaria's most popular politicians, but is facing a stronger challenge than expected from Mr Siderov, who has been compared to the French ultra-nationalist Jean-Marie Le Pen.Our correspondent says he remains one of Bulgaria's most popular politicians, but is facing a stronger challenge than expected from Mr Siderov, who has been compared to the French ultra-nationalist Jean-Marie Le Pen.
She adds that with turnout expected to be low, the result is hard to predict.
The role of the Bulgarian president is largely ceremonial, although he heads the army and can veto any bill.The role of the Bulgarian president is largely ceremonial, although he heads the army and can veto any bill.
The support of half of the electorate in the first round of voting is required for outright victory. Mr Parvanov is facing six challengers, but only Mr Siderov is considered a realistic rival.