Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2005

Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2005

2001 ← June 25, 2005 → 2009

240 seats to the Bulgarian Assembly   First party Second party   Leader Sergei Stanishev Simeon Sakskoburggotski Party BSP NDSV Last election 48 seats 120 seats Seats won 82 53 Seat change +34 −67 Popular vote 1,129,196 725,314 Percentage 31.0% 19.9%

PM before election Simeon Sakskoburggotski NDSV Elected PM Sergei Stanishev BSP

Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2005 - Elections were held on June 25, 2005, for the 240 members of the National Assembly. According to exit polls, the Leftist Coalition for Bulgaria had a lead with around 31%, but without a majority, necessitating the creation of a coalition. The National Movement for Simeon II, in power before the election, was in second place, with around 21%. Third was the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, mainly supported by ethnic Turks, with around 13%.

At least 6,000 candidates (from 22 parties) ran for election to the 240 member parliament. The turnout of 56% was the lowest on record. 4% of the votes are needed to gain a seat.

The opposition Leftist Coalition, headed by Bulgarian Socialist Party lead the election, but did not gain an outright majority. Sergei Stanishev, leader of the socialist party, stated he would attempt to form a governing coalition. "We won the confidence of the people ... We are ready to form a government ... and we will negotiate with any democratic party," Stanisheve said in a press conference.

In the last six free elections held since 1989, no government has been re-elected—each has had to implement stringent economic and social reforms, since the fall of communism, and has lost popular support as a result.

For a political analysis of the 2005 parliamentary elections see Europe and the Parliamentary Elections in Bulgaria, 25 June 2005 published by the European Parties Elections and Referendums Network.

Results

 Summary of the 2005 National Assembly of Bulgaria election results:

Coalitions and parties		Votes	%	Seats	+/−
	Coalition for Bulgaria Bulgarian Socialist Party Party of Bulgarian Social Democrats Political Movement Social Democrats Agrarian Union "Aleksandar Stamboliyski" Civil Union "Roma" Movement for Social Humanism Green Party of Bulgaria Communist Party of Bulgaria	1,129,196	31.0	82	+34
	National Movement Simeon II	725,314	19.9	53	−67
	Movement for Rights and Freedoms	467,400	12.8	34	+13
	National Union Attack National Movement for the Salvation of the Fatherland Bulgarian National Patriotic Party Union of Patriotic Forces and Militaries of the Reserve Defense	296,848	8.1	21	+21
	United Democratic Forces Union of Democratic Forces Democratic Party Bulgarian Agrarian People's Union George's Day Movement National Association - Bulgarian Agrarian People's Union Movement for an Equal Public Model	280,323	7.7	20	−31
	Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria	234,788	6.4	17	+17
	Bulgarian People's Union Bulgarian Agrarian People's Union-People's Union IMRO - Bulgarian National Movement Union of Free Democrats	189,268	5.2	13	+13
	Others	324,050	8.8	0	-
	Total valid votes	3,648,177	100.0	240	-
Invalid votes		99,616
Votes cast (turnout: 55.8%)		3,747,793
Registered voters in the main list		6,720,941
Source: Electoral Commission of Bulgaria and Adam Carr's Electoral Archive