欧美文化:GERB-UDF coalition leads in Bulgaria's parliamentary elections: exit polls

SOFIA, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- The coalition of the GERB Party and Union of Democratic Forces (GERB-UDF) is leading in Bulgaria's early parliamentary elections, according to exit polls announced by the Bulgarian National TV on Sunday.

GERB-UDF coalition is expected to have 26.4 percent of the votes, against 14.9 percent of votes for We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) coalition, according to the exit poll of Alpha Research.

The exit poll by Gallup International said that GERB-UDF is leading the elections with 25.1 percent, while PP-DB takes 15.4 percent.

Alpha Research said the two coalitions were followed by Revival party with 12.9 percent, Movement for Rights and Freedoms-New Beginning (MRF-New Beginning) coalition with 8.9 percent, Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF) coalition with 8.7 percent, BSP-United Left coalition with 7.8 percent, and There Is Such People (ITN) party with 6.2 percent.

According to Gallup International, Revival party gained 13.8 percent of the votes, followed by BSP-United Left coalition with 8.1 percent, MRF-New Beginning coalition with 7.7 percent, ARF coalition with 7.3 percent, ITN party with 6.8 percent.

The official results, including the distribution of seats, should be announced no later than Oct. 31.

Under Bulgaria's constitution, the country's president should appoint a prime minister-designate nominated by the largest parliamentary group to form a new government.

If negotiations fail, the constitution allows two further attempts to form a government by the second-largest group, and by one of the others.

The previous election was held in June, but parliament failed to form a regular cabinet, forcing another election.

The National Assembly is Bulgaria's legislative body. It also elects the government by a simple majority, and has a four-year term, except in certain circumstances such as when it cannot elect a government.