Bulgarians vote in elelction likely to prolong uncertaintyMay 12, 2013 - 15:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Bulgarians voted on Sunday, May 12, in an election marred by suspicions of rigging, with expectations of a close result that is likely to prolong uncertainty in the European Union's poorest country, Reuters reporetd. The rightist GERB party, which resigned after violent demonstrations over poverty and corruption in February, is running neck-and-neck with the Socialists. That raises the possibility that neither might be able to form a coalition and could ultimately mean a new election. Six years after Bulgaria joined the European Union, disaffection with the political elite is widespread in the country of 7.3 million. Unemployment is close to an eight-year high and one in four lives below the poverty line. On the eve of the parliamentary election, state security officers seized 350,000 illegal ballot papers, increasing fears of rigging in the Balkan country, notorious for graft and organized crime. Socialist leader Sergei Stanishev called the discovery an "unprecedented conspiracy against democracy" but President Rosen Plevneliev, an independent who has GERB's backing, told reporters that nobody would be able to get away with cheating. A recent survey found that 12 percent of Bulgarians were willing to sell their votes. Because of worries over the process, five parties - not including GERB - have hired an Austrian company to carry out a parallel vote count. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |