DOMESTIC POLITICS: In the aftermath of a resounding victory in the parliamentary election in July 2009, the centre-right CEDB has set out to govern alone, despite lacking a majority in parliament (the CEDB won 116 out of 240 seats). This presents some risk to political stability, although the prime minister and CEDB leader, Boiko Borisov--who until now was the mayor of the capital, Sofia--feels that this is the most effective path and hopes that the other centre-right and right-wing parties in parliament (Ataka; the Blue Coalition; and the Law, Justice and Order Party) will provide the CEDB with parliamentary support. If this arrangement were to prove unworkable, Mr Borisov thinks that the CEDB could win even more seats in a new election.

Source: Bulgaria: Country outlook

Source: Country Forecast Bulgaria July 2009

Source: EIU Country Data