site.btaProtest against Controversial MP Blocks International Road

Protest against Controversial MP Blocks International Road

Doupnitsa, Southwestern Bulgaria, October 27 (BTA) - In the
latest of a series of protests against the controversial
election of an MP of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF)
as a representative in the new legislature, some 170 people
blocked the E-79 international road at Doupnitsa on Monday.

The said MP, Alexander Metodiev, received only 864 votes in the
October 5 early general elections, but won a seat in Parliament
due to the use of the Hare/Niemeyer formula incorporated in the
Election Code, and will be the only MRF representative for
Kyustendil and Doupnitsa in the legislature. Experts have
explained that Metodiev's election is a result of the votes cast
by Bulgarians abroad.

The Monday protest resulted in the formation of long lines of
vehicles waiting in both directions on the road that links the
capital Sofia and the border with Greece at Kulata. Some of the
drivers and passengers cheered in support of the protest.

A larger group of people from Kyustendil and Doupnitsa came to
Sofia to rally outside the Parliament building while the new MPs
are there for their inaugural meeting.

They were preparing to move to Parliament a petition for changes
in the election legislation to undo what they see as an
injustice in the election of Metodiev as a representative of
Kyustendil and Doupnitsa.

MRF has refused to withdraw Metodiev as a deputy but admitted
that the Election Code needs to be amended.