Ex-bodyguard’s opposition wins Bulgaria poll

It was the result his supporters had been dreaming of.

A former bodyguard pledging to crack down on corruption has scored a resounding win in Bulgaria’s general election.

Boiko Borisov says he does not have the right not to lead the next government.

The successful centre-right challenger is currently the Mayor of Sofia.

Partial results showed Borisov’s Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party won more than 40 percent of the vote, compared with around 18 percent for the Socialists.

Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev’s defeat was predicted amid anger over the recession and widespread corruption that has seen Bulgaria dubbed the black sheep of the EU.

Although his administration was accused of lacking the political will to tackle this, Stanishev defended what he called a successful governing mandate. He said the Socialists now face questions over why they suffered such a loss.

Campaigning on promises to jail corrupt officials and organised crime bosses, Borisov has now promised to move fast on reforms. His conservatives look set to strike a coalition deal with a grouping of rightist parties.

The EU will be watching developments. Brussels froze hundreds of millions in aid last year, over what it said was Bulgaria’s failure to tackle corruption and organised crime.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Bulgaria, Elections