Bulgaria's Right-Wing UDF Elects New Leader
Domestic | July 15, 2012, Sunday // 12:02| views
An estimated 9 000 members of Bulgaria's right-wing UDF are voting in 220 polls across the country to elect the new party leader. File photo by Sofia Photo Agency
MP Vanyo Sharkov and Karlovo Mayor Emil Kabaivanov are facing each other in a runoff Sunday for the leadership position of Bulgarian right-wing party Union of Democratic Forces.
After the first round, held on July 8, Sharkov came out first receiving 3 172 votes, followed by Kabaivanov with 2 624 out of a total of some 8 000 UDF supporters who voted. Third was long-time UDF key politician Ivan Sotirov, with nearly 1 600 votes.
An estimated 9 000 members of UDF are voting in 220 polls across the country.
The 500-votes difference between Sharkov and Kabaivanov is a very close margin, UDF followers say, and the race will be heated with either one having a shot at being the winner.
Martin Dimitrov is endorsing Sharkov, while formed UDF presidential candidate, Rumen Hristov, who declined running for party leader is supporting Kabaivanov. Sotirov has not designated a favorite.
The final results are expected late Sunday evening or Monday.
Although support for the Union is dwindling and the Blue Coalition has only 12 MPs (out of 240), during the transition from socialism in the 1990s, the Union of Democratic Forces was Bulgaria's leading rightist political actor.
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