The parliamentary election in Bulgaria has begun amid massive protests over poverty and corruption. (File photo)
Bulgarians have started casting their ballots in the parliamentary election, amid massive protests over poverty and corruption.
On Sunday, 6.9 million eligible voters in the poorest EU country will choose from 36 parties, including the conservative GERB party, which resigned in February after violent demonstrations.
Opinion polls show there is a close race between the GERB party with 29-35 percent of the votes and the socialist BSP with 25-32 percent.
Observers predict a low turnout of fewer than 50 percent, as the election campaign has been overshadowed by an illegal wiretapping scandal conducted allegedly by former Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov and the seizure of 350,000 illegal ballots by authorities.
Experts say voters lack interest in the election since they feel politicians have failed to address ordinary Bulgarians, of which 22 percent are living under the official poverty line.
The growing poverty has triggered massive protests. Seven Bulgarians have also died of self-immolation since February.
Å“An undercurrent of discontent persists. So far, the major demands of the protesters – for lower energy prices – have not been fully addressed and unemployment, low incomes, and political corruption are also being highlighted,” said political analyst Otilia Simkova.
According to official statistics, Bulgaria has the lowest wages in the European Union at 400 euros (USD 524) a month and its unemployment rate stands at 12 percent.
CAH/HSN
This article originally appeared on : Press TV