Bulgarians Still Overwhelmingly Favor GERB - Poll

The Head of the research agency MBMD, sociology expert, Mira Radeva. Photo by BGNES

If general elections were to be held now, the ruling, center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria, GERB, party would score full majority in the Parliament, according to a recent poll.

The poll was conducted in mid-May, among 1011 people, by the research agency MBMD. It was presented Thursday by the Agency's Head, sociology expert, Mira Radeva, who says forecasts about GERB's early demise seem premature, according to the poll's results.

When asked who they would vote for - 34% of respondents listed GERB; 15% - the left-wing Coalition for Bulgaria, led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP; 4% - the ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms, DPS; 4% - the right-wing Blue Coalition; 3.2% - the far-right, nationalist Ataka.

Another 3% have said they would vote for President, Georgi Parvanov's, new political project Alternative for Bulgarian Revival (ABV), which brings the left-wing vote to 17%-18%, according to Radeva, since Parvanov is a former leader of BSP.

The 10% decrease of the number of people, who said they would not vote, is seen by the sociology expert as a sign of electoral mobilization.

After taking out of the estimations the 34%, who responded they do not know who they will vote for – GERB will get 52% of the vote; Coalition for Bulgaria – 26%, while the other formations to secure seats in the Parliament would end up being the Blue Coalition with 6% and Ataka with 5% - all meaning GERB is to get full majority in the Parliament.

Radeva, however, pointed out GERB do not need early elections since they currently enjoy full majority with the support of several independent Members of the Parliament.

Just one day ago, Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, hinted early elections are a possibility.

The sociologist warns these are "fragile" results since people tend to change their mind in the months and days preceding local and presidential elections, which are to be held in Bulgaria in the fall of 2011.

Meanwhile, Professor, Mihail Konstantinov, former Deputy Chair of the Central Electoral Commission, said for Focus radio that there are no legal and technical obstacles for holding the above said elections along with parliamentary ones.

"There is no political crisis in Bulgaria, which is the condition for holding early elections. I suppose Borisov is fed up with people granting and withdrawing support for GERB, so, true to his unique style, he declared he is ready for a new vote," Konstantinov explained.

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