site.btaParliament Chair: Presidential Elections to Be Held in November

Razgrad, Northeastern Bulgaria, August 23 (BTA) - National Assembly Chair Iva Miteva told a news conference here on Monday that Bulgaria's presidential elections will take place in November. If the present Parliament fails to render up a regular government, the elections of President and Vice President of the Republic should better be held simultaneously with the next early parliamentary elections so as to save money, Miteva argued.

Under the Constitution, Parliament must schedule presidential elections by the beginning of September, and they must be held on a Sunday between October 22 and November 22, i.e. not later than two months before the expiry of the term in office of the sitting head of State (January 22, 2021).

Incumbent President Rumen Radev, who is the only certain candidate for the job so far, commented last week that his re-election bid will be at a disadvantage if the two types of elections are held concurrently. Besides this, he expects the Central Election Commission experts to say whether this is technically feasible. LN/LG