Bulgaria's President Refers Early Election Issue to Top Court

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has asked the Constitutional Court whether the head of state can call a new early election without dissolving Parliament.

The country's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov stepped down on Monday after his party's candidate lost the presidential election. In case no other government is formed within this Parliament, the latter should be dissolved by the President, appoint an interim government and set the date for a new snap poll.

However, the Constitution bars the President from dissolving the legislature three months before the end of his term. Plevneliev is leaving the Presidency on January 22.

The incumbent head of state has chosen to ask the top court of Bulgaria to make its case on the vague constitutional wording as to an early election data can be called while MPs are still in office, his press office says.

In case a new snap poll cannot be called with Parliament still functioning, new elections will not be held before March 22 of next year.