SOFIA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The coalition of the GERB Party and the Union of Democratic Forces (GERB-UDF) won Bulgaria's recent early parliamentary elections, according to final results published by the Central Election Commission (CEC) on Wednesday.
With the results in, GERB-UDF will hold 69 seats in the 240-member National Assembly following Sunday's election. The We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition took second place with 37 seats, the CEC reported.
Six additional political parties and coalitions gained seats in the legislature: the Revival party with 35 seats, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms-New Beginning (DPS-New Beginning) with 30 seats, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP)-United Left coalition with 20 seats, the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF) coalition with 19 seats, the There Is Such People (ITN) party with 18 seats, and the Morality Unity Honour (MECh) party with 12 seats.
Under Bulgaria's Constitution, the president is required to appoint a prime minister-designate nominated by the largest parliamentary group to attempt to form a government. The government must secure a majority of more than half of the present members of parliament (MPs) to be elected.
If negotiations fail, the Constitution permits two additional attempts to form a government, first by the second-largest parliamentary group, then by another party or coalition.
The previous election in June ended without a successful cabinet formation, prompting this latest election. ■
