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Bulgaria 'run-off due to turnout' Bulgaria president faces run-off
(about 2 hours later)
Incumbent Georgi Parvanov has a large lead in the Bulgarian presidential election, according to exit polls, but faces a run-off because of low turnout. Incumbent Georgi Parvanov has a large lead in the Bulgarian presidential election but still faces a run-off because of low turnout.
Exit polls gave the Socialist leader more than 60% of the vote in the first round but turnout was said to have fallen below the 50% threshold. Partial official results give the Socialist leader more than 60% of the vote in the first round, but turnout was below the 50% threshold.
If confirmed, he would face a run-off next Sunday against nearest rival, ultra-nationalist leader Volen Siderov. With just under half the votes counted, Mr Siderov had 22.5%.
Exit polls gave Mr Siderov just over 20% of the vote. Mr Parvanov will now face a run-off next Sunday against his nearest rival, ultra-nationalist leader Volen Siderov.
Mr Parvanov's first reaction was to thank supporters for the "convincing result".Mr Parvanov's first reaction was to thank supporters for the "convincing result".
He said of the run-off: "When one has such a ratio, there is nothing to worry about."He said of the run-off: "When one has such a ratio, there is nothing to worry about."
Nato membershipNato membership
An exit poll by the National Centre for Public Opinion Surveys put the turnout at just 38%. Full official results should be released on Monday or Tuesday. Turnout was 42.5% of eligible voters.
A second, by Gallup, put the figure at 39.97% an hour before polling closed. The BBC's Nick Thorpe says President Parvanov will be both satisfied and frustrated by the result.
It gave Mr Parvanov 64.6% to 20.3% for Mr Siderov of the Attack party. Our correspondent says Mr Parvanov looks set to win next Sunday, although the deep poverty of a significant part of the population and disagreements over Nato membership have helped Mr Siderov and his nationalists.
BBC Central Europe reporter, Nick Thorpe, says President Parvanov will be both satisfied and frustrated by the result.
Our correspondent says Mr Parvanov looks set to win next Sunday although the deep poverty of a significant part of the population and disagreements over Nato membership have helped Mr Siderov and his nationalists.
Next Sunday the candidate who secures most votes will win, regardless of turnout.Next Sunday the candidate who secures most votes will win, regardless of turnout.
The president is largely a figurehead position as power lies with the prime minister.The president is largely a figurehead position as power lies with the prime minister.