2005 Bulgarian parliamentary election

2005 Bulgarian parliamentary election
Bulgaria
← 2001 25 June 2005 2009 →

All 240 seats in the National Assembly
121 seats needed for a majority
Turnout55.76% (Decrease10.87pp)
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
KB Sergei Stanishev 30.95 82 +34
NDSV Simeon Sakskoburggotski 19.88 53 −67
DPS Ahmed Dogan 12.81 34 +13
Ataka Volen Siderov 8.14 21 New
ODS Nadezhda Mihaylova 7.68 20 −31
DSB Ivan Kostov 6.44 17 New
BNS Anastasia Mozer 5.19 13 +13
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Simeon Sakskoburggotski Simeon Sakskoburggotski
NDSV
Sergei Stanishev
BSP
Sergei Stanishev

Parliamentary elections were held in Bulgaria on 25 June 2005, for the 240 members of the National Assembly. According to exit polls, the Socialists had a lead with around 31%, but without a majority, necessitating the creation of a coalition. The National Movement for Simeon II, in power before the election, was in second place, with around 21%. Following the election, Socialist Party leader Sergei Stanishev became prime minister.

At least 6,000 candidates from 22 parties ran for election to the 240-member parliament. The turnout of 56% was the lowest on record. 4% of the votes are needed to gain a seat.

The opposition led the election, but did not gain an outright majority. Sergei Stanishev, leader of the socialist party, stated he would attempt to form a governing coalition. "We won the confidence of the people ... We are ready to form a government ... and we will negotiate with any democratic party," Stanishev said in a press conference.

In the previous five elections held since 1989, no government has been re-elected—each has had to implement stringent economic and social reforms, since the fall of communism, and lost popular support as a result.