2005 Bulgarian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria on 25 June 2005, for the 240 members of the National Assembly. According to exit polls, the Socialists 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%. Following the election, Socialist Party leader Sergei Stanishev became Prime Minister.

2005 Bulgarian parliamentary election
Bulgaria
25 June 2005
All 240 seats in the National Assembly
121 seats needed for a majority
Turnout55.76% (Decrease10.87pp)
PartyLeader % Seats +/–
KB Sergei Stanishev 30.95 82 +34
NDSV Simeon Sakskoburggotski 19.88 53 -67
DPS Ahmed Dogan 12.81 34 +13
Ataka Volen Siderov 8.14 21 New
ODS Nadezhda Mihaylova 7.68 20 -31
DSB Ivan Kostov 6.44 17 New
BNS Anastasia Mozer
Krasimir Karakachanov		 5.19 13 +13
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Simeon Sakskoburggotski Simeon Sakskoburggotski
NDSV		 Sergei Stanishev
BSP		Sergei Stanishev

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 led 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," Stanishev said in a press conference.

In the previous five 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 lost popular support as a result.

Results
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Coalition for Bulgaria1,129,19630.9582+34
National Movement Simeon II725,31419.8853−67
Movement for Rights and Freedoms467,40012.8134+13
National Union Attack296,8488.1421New
United Democratic Forces280,3237.6820−31
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria234,7886.4417New
Bulgarian People's Union189,2685.1913+13
New Era107,7582.950New
Rose Coalition (BSD–NDPS–OBT)47,4101.3000
Euroroma45,6371.250New
Bulgarian Christian Coalition21,0640.580New
FAGO18,3260.500New
United Party of Pensioners in Bulgaria12,7600.350New
Long Live Bulgaria!12,6220.350New
Federation of Free Business–Union Bulgaria12,1960.330New
Forward Bulgaria10,2750.280New
Dignified Bulgaria Coalition8,4200.230New
SDN Granite5,9230.160New
Chamber of Experts3,6490.100New
Party of Free Democrats2,2030.060New
Native Land2,0520.060New
NZP Nikola Petkov1,9180.050New
Independents12,8270.3500
Total3,648,177100.002400
Valid votes3,648,17797.34
Invalid/blank votes99,6162.66
Total votes3,747,793100.00
Registered voters/turnout6,720,94155.76
Source: CIK

Aftermath
Main article: Stanishev Government

As no one party received a majority in the Assembly the Socialists were faced with the task of putting together a coalition government. The Socialists faced many difficulties when trying to establish a coalition as all of the other political parties that had crossed the 4% threshold in the parliament were to the right of the Socialists, meaning compromise would be needed to ensure a workable coalition agreement. The Socialists tried to form a coalition of the three largest parties: themselves, the NDSV, and the DPS. However, while they gained the support of the DPS, they failed to gain the support of the NDSV. While the Socialists tried to enter into a two party minority government with DPS as their coalition partner, this was rejected by parliament when despite voting for Sergei Stanishev to be prime minister in a close 120-119 vote the parliament voted against his proposed cabinet. As per the constitution the mandate to form a government was passed to the next largest political party, NDSV. However, on August 11, NDSV announced that they had decided to reject the offer due to the "complicated political situation," this then lead to the third largest party, DPS to receive the mandate to try and form a coalition government, finally after talks with the leaders of the two largest parties Ahmed Dogan, leader of the DPS was able to form a coalition agreement between the Socialists, NDSV and his own DPS. Sergei Stanishev leader of the socialists was elected prime minister and the coalition held 169 seats in the 240 seat parliament.[1][2]

References
  1. "Bulgaria Approves Three-Way Govt, Stanishev is PM". Novinite.com. Sofia News Agency. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  2. "Bargaining in Bulgaria: The Aftermath of the June 2005 Parliamentary Elections - Balkanalysis". Archived from the original on 2013-01-20. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
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