Voters head to the polls in Bulgaria's presidential election

Record ID: 79064

  • Title: Voters head to the polls in Bulgaria's presidential election
  • Date: 13th November 2016
  • Summary: SOFIA, BULGARIA (NOVEMBER 13, 2016) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF POLLING STATION PEOPLE GATHERING AT POLLING STATION POLICE OFFICER AND COMMISSION WALKING IN POLLING STATION POLICE OFFICER UNLOCKING DOOR OF POLLING ROOM, COMMISSION ENTERING VARIOUS OF COMMISSION PREPARING FOR VOTING BALLOT HANDED TO FIRST VOTER FIRST VOTER PLACING BALLOT IN BOX BALLOT HANDED TO ANOTHER VOTER WOMEN IN CORRIDOR OF POLLING STATION VOTER PLACING BALLOT IN BOX BALLOT BOX VOTER PLACING BALLOT IN BOX PEOPLE WAITING IN CORRIDOR OF POLLING STATION
  • Embargoed: 28th November 2016 07:23
  • Keywords: Bulgaria election polls opening voting president
  • Location: SOFIA, BULGARIA
  • City: SOFIA, BULGARIA
  • Country: Bulgaria
  • Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA00158A0IMF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Polling stations opened in Bulgaria's runoff presidential election on Sunday (November 13) where Rumen Radev, a Russian-friendly air force commander, is expected to win possibly paving the way for months of political uncertainty.
    A newcomer to politics, Radev campaigned on strong anti-migrant rhetoric and an argument that it was in the country's national interest to find a balance between the requirements of its European Union membership and better ties with Russia.
    The latest opinion polls showed 53-year-old Radev, backed by the opposition Socialists, about 10 percentage points ahead of Tsacheva, 58, after his unexpected victory in last Sunday's first round ballot.
    Radev has benefited from discontent with the centre-right government of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov over his perceived failure to make significant progress in rooting out corruption, as well as slow public sector reforms.
    Borisov has vowed to step down if Radev wins on Sunday, a move likely to swing the country back to political instability and prompt snap polls probably in the spring, which could further delay reforms and spook investors.
    While most of the country's decisions lay with the government, the president, who leads the armed forces, can sway public opinion and has the power to send legislation back to parliament.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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