Tight race between centre-right and Socialists ahead of Bulgarian parliamentary election

Reports from media sources on the weeks leading up to the parliamentary election in Bulgaria, held on 26 March 2017.

Polls suggested it could be a tight race between the centre-right GERB party and the main opposition party, the Socialists.

Other reports highlighted the criticism from several politicians to attempts by Turkey to interfere in the election campaign, so to benefit the Turkish community, the largest in Bulgaria.

The snap election was called in January 2017, following the appointment of an interim prime minister.

• Primary Source

ESO: Key source: Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/bulgarian-parliamentary-election-2017/

ESO: Background information: Bulgaria heads to the polls – and the tide may be turning against Boyko Borisov http://www.europeansources.info/record/bulgaria-heads-to-the-polls-and-the-tide-may-be-turning-against-boyko-borisov/

Balkan Insight, 20.03.17: Turkey’s Hand in Bulgarian Election Angers Sofia http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/turkey-s-hand-in-bulgarian-election-angers-sofia-03-19-2017

EurActiv, 21.03.17: Bulgarian election candidates hit out at Turkey meddling http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/bulgarian-election-candidates-hit-out-at-turkey-meddling/

EurActiv, 17.03.17: Bulgaria’s PM says taking steps to prevent election meddling by Turkey https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/bulgarias-pm-says-taking-steps-to-prevent-election-meddling-by-turkey/

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2017: Is Ankara interfering with Bulgarian election? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/176540/is-ankara-interfering-with-bulgarian-election

EurActiv, 24.03.17: Bulgarian Socialists seek to end Borissov era http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/bulgarian-socialists-seek-to-end-borissov-era/

Politico, 24.03.17: Bulgarian bruiser’s comeback dreams http://www.politico.eu/article/bulgarian-bruisers-comeback-dreams/

Deutsche Welle, 24.03.17: Police remove barricades at Turkish-Bulgarian border http://dw.com/p/2ZupO

EUObserver, 24.03.17: Bulgaria's election test https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/137371

Deutsche Welle, 26.03.17: There's a pro-European mood in Bulgaria http://dw.com/p/2ZvwD

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