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Bulgaria president faces run-off Bulgarian president faces run-off
(about 3 hours later)
Incumbent Georgi Parvanov has a large lead in the Bulgarian presidential election but still faces a run-off because of low turnout. Incumbent Georgi Parvanov has won the first round of Bulgaria's presidential election but faces a run-off because of low turnout, partial results suggest.
Partial official results give the Socialist leader more than 60% of the vote in the first round, but turnout was below the 50% threshold. With almost half the ballots counted, the socialist leader has more than 60% of the vote, compared with ultra-nationalist Volen Siderov's 22%.
With just under half the votes counted, Mr Siderov had 22.5%. But with turnout short of the 50% mark, the two men will run again next Sunday.
Mr Parvanov will now face a run-off next Sunday against his nearest rival, ultra-nationalist leader Volen Siderov. If Mr Parvanov wins, he will be the first Bulgarian president to win a second term.
Mr Parvanov's first reaction was to thank supporters for the "convincing result". "This is a good basis for achieving final victory in a week's time," he told journalists.
He said of the run-off: "When one has such a ratio, there is nothing to worry about." "Support for us is support for our policy of unifying the nation," he said.
Nato membership Respected
Full official results should be released on Monday or Tuesday. Turnout was 42.5% of eligible voters. The presidency is largely a figurehead position, as power lies with the prime minister.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe says President Parvanov will be both satisfied and frustrated by the result. But the 49-year-old historian is respected for his efforts to raise Bulgaria's international profile ahead of Nato and EU membership.
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. Mr Siderov, 50, is a populist figure who has hit out at minority groups and attacked the government over privatisation deals.
Next Sunday the candidate who secures most votes will win, regardless of turnout. The low turnout was blamed on poverty among large segments of the population and unhappiness over the government's economic and social reforms.
The president is largely a figurehead position as power lies with the prime minister. These concerns have helped Mr Siderov and his nationalists, the BBC's Nick Thorpe says.
But on paper at least Mr Parvanov looks set to win the election next Sunday, our correspondent adds.
Full official results from the first round should be released on Monday or Tuesday.