Former air force commander Rumen Radev narrowly won the first round of presidential elections in Bulgaria on Sunday, exit polls showed, raising prospects of political instability in the small Black Sea state and a strategic shift towards Russia.

Mr Radev, a 53-year old ally of the opposition Socialist party, has called for an end of European Union sanctions against Russia and has said EU member Bulgaria should hedge its bets when it comes to international alliances.

Exit polls by Alpha Research and Gallup International showed Radev winning 24.8-26.7 per cent of the vote in which 20 other candidates also competed. First partial results will be released early on Monday.

A failure to secure an overall majority would mean that Radev will face a runoff vote next Sunday against runner-up Tsetska Tsacheva, 58, the centre-right GERB ruling party candidate.

Opinion polls conducted ahead of the election showed Mr Radev was likely to lose the first round but win the runoff. Sunday’s exit polls showed Mr Tsacheva winning 23.5-22.5 per cent of the vote.

GERB prime minister Boiko Borisov has said he would resign if Mr Tsacheva loses the first round. Even he doesn’t, observers say, opposition groupings could try to unseat his minority government after the presidential election.

“I am firmly convinced that the prime minister has no reason to resign,” said Liliana Pavlova, construction minister in Mr Borisov’s minority government after the exit polls were published.

Under the Bulgarian constitution, the president’s job is largely ceremonial but he or she can influence public opinion, veto legislation and lobby for policies. </s> SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarians on Sunday were choosing a new president who will have to face both a possible rise in migrants from neighboring Turkey and growing tensions between Russia and the West.

For the first time, voting in the presidential election is compulsory for the Balkan nation’s 6.8 million voters. Also on the ballot is a referendum on electoral process issues.

Opinion polls suggest that none of Bulgaria’s 21 presidential candidates are likely to win in the first round by getting more than the required 50 percent of the vote, and that a presidential runoff will be held on Nov. 13.

The front-runner is the Parliament speaker, Tsetska Tsacheva, a 58-year-old lawyer and member of the governing center-right GERB party of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov. Unlike her party leader, however, she is not a charismatic figure.

To become the first female president of the country of 7.2 million people, Tsacheva must defeat the opposition Socialist contender Rumen Radev, 53, a former fighter pilot and Bulgarian air force chief.

If Tsacheva is elected, she is widely expected to continue the pro-Europe foreign policy of incumbent Rosen Plevneliev, while her main opponent is seen as more sympathetic to Russia.

Radev has repeatedly said he would comply with Bulgaria’s European obligations but has called for better relations with Russia and called for lifting sanctions against Russia, arguing that “being pro-European does not mean being anti-Russian.”

A recent poll by Gallup International Balkan suggests the presidential election will go to a second round, with Tsacheva facing Radev. The poll conducted Oct. 24-31 among 820 Bulgarians found Tsacheva supported by 27.2 percent and Radev by 23.1 percent. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Polling stations will close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) and preliminary results will be available 90 minutes later. Final results will be announced Tuesday. </s> Presidential candidate of the Bulgarian Socialist Party Rumen Radev walks with his wife Desislava after casting his vote at a polling station during a presidential election in Sofia, Bulgaria, November 13, 2016. REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Former Bulgarian air force commander Rumen Radev won the decisive round of Sunday’s presidential elections in Bulgaria, exit polls by Alpha Research and Gallup International showed.

Radev, 53, backed by the opposition Socialists, won 58.1-58.5 percent of the vote, compared with 35.3-35.7 percent for Tsetska Tsacheva, the 58-year-old candidate of the ruling center-right GERB party, the polls said. </s> Opinion polls show ruling party candidate Tsetska Tsacheva, 58, is likely to narrowly win the ballot but lose a subsequent runoff to Rumen Radev, 53, a Socialist Party ally who wants to end European Union sanctions against Moscow.

"The vote on Sunday will show whether we have the right to rule the country in the next two years," Prime Minister Boiko Borisov told supporters at the close of the campaign.

If Tsacheva does lose, Radev's Socialists and other opposition groupings could try to unseat the center-right GERB party's minority government and trigger early parliamentary elections, observers say.

That would lead to months of political uncertainty and a further slowdown in reforms, much needed after the collapse of Bulgaria's fourth largest bank and massive anti-corruption protests that helped GERB win parliamentary elections in 2014.

Public disappointment over reform progress eroded support for GERB, while Tsacheva is seen as lacking the charisma of Prime Minister Borisov.

"I will vote for General Radev because he hasn't been involved in dirty political games, so far," said 68-year-old pensioner Dimitar Tashev. "He is not a member of any political party and he deserves a chance."

Voting starts at 07.000 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) and polls close at 20.00 p.m.

Latest opinion polls showed parliament speaker Tsacheva winning with 27.2-26.3 percent of the vote, against Radev's 22.5-23.1 percent.

Nineteen other candidates are also running and most polls show Radev could win a runoff vote on Nov. 13, which has to be held between top two contenders if no one wins an overall majority.

Radev, a former air force commander, has campaigned largely on a promise of closer ties with Moscow, arguing the small European Union state - fully dependent on Russian energy - should hedge its bets when it comes to strategic alliances.

Bulgaria, seen as the Kremlin's most pliable satellite in Soviet times, has long been an anomaly in Europe, a country within EU and NATO structures yet feeling close to Russia.

"Bulgaria is a small country, we do not have resources and it is naive to go against Russia," said Kalin Dragiev, 49, shop owner. "Politicians must accept that Bulgaria badly needs Russia ...I will probably vote for Radev but I still think that Tsacheva is the favorite."

EU sanctions imposed on Moscow over its role in pro-Russian separatist conflict in Ukraine have hurt NATO member Bulgaria financially.

Most power in the country of 7.2 million rests with the prime minister and parliament, but the president leads the armed forces and can veto legislation, sign international treaties and appoint ambassadors. </s> Bulgarian socialist ally Rumen Radev, a Russia-friendly newcomer to politics, won yesterday’s presidential election by a large margin, exit polls showed, possibly paving the way for months of political instability in the small Black Sea state.

A former air force commander, Radev campaigned on strong anti-migrant rhetoric and an argument that it was in the country’s interest to find a balance between the requirements of its EU membership and better ties with Russia.

Radev, 53, backed by the opposition Socialists, won 58.1-58.5 per cent of the vote, compared with 35.3-35.7 per cent for Tsetska Tsacheva, the 58-year-old candidate of the ruling centre-right GERB party, the polls showed.

The general’s strong showing could undermine the minority government of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, who has signalled he may resign if Radev wins the election.

If he doesn’t, opposition groupings could call for a parliamentary no-confidence vote in his cabinet.

“The main conclusion is that hope and desire for change won over fear, which both Borisov and GERB tried to propagate,” said Zhelyo Boichev, a senior Socialist party politician. Radev has benefited from discontent with the government over his perceived failure to make significant progress in rooting out corruption, as well as slow public-sector reforms. – (Reuters) </s> A woman passes in front pre-election poster of Bulgaria's centre-right ruling GERB party presidential candidate Tsetska Tsacheva and vice-president Plamen Manushev, right, in Sofia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. ... more

A woman passes in front pre-election poster of Bulgaria's centre-right ruling GERB party presidential candidate Tsetska Tsacheva and vice-president Plamen Manushev, right, in Sofia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Bulgarians will to choose their new president on Sunday to replace incumbent Rosen Plevneliev after his five-year term ends next January. The election campaign focused mainly on the future of the European Union, relations with Russia and the threats from a possible rise in migrant inflows from neighboring Turkey less

A woman passes by pre-election posters of Bulgaria's Socialist party presidential candidate Rumen Radev in Sofia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Bulgarians will to choose their new president on Sunday to replace ... more

A woman passes by pre-election posters of Bulgaria's Socialist party presidential candidate Rumen Radev in Sofia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Bulgarians will to choose their new president on Sunday to replace incumbent Rosen Plevneliev after his five-year term ends next January. The election campaign focused mainly on the future of the European Union, relations with Russia and the threats from a possible rise in migrant inflows from neighboring Turkey less

This photo taken on Thursday, Nov 3, 2016 shows Bulgaria's centre-right ruling GERB party presidential candidate Tsetska Tsacheva, right, and vice-president Plamen Manushev, left clap hands during their ... more

This photo taken on Thursday, Nov 3, 2016 shows Bulgaria's centre-right ruling GERB party presidential candidate Tsetska Tsacheva, right, and vice-president Plamen Manushev, left clap hands during their pre-election campaign in Pernik, Bulgaria . Bulgarians will to choose their new president on Sunday to replace incumbent Rosen Plevneliev after his five-year term ends next January. The election campaign focused mainly on the future of the European Union, relations with Russia and the threats from a possible rise in migrant inflows from neighboring Turkey. less

A woman passes near pre-election posters of Bulgaria's Socialist party presidential candidate Rumen Radev and vice-president Iliana Yotova, right, in Sofia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Bulgarians will to choose their ... more

A woman passes near pre-election posters of Bulgaria's Socialist party presidential candidate Rumen Radev and vice-president Iliana Yotova, right, in Sofia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Bulgarians will to choose their new president on Sunday to replace incumbent Rosen Plevneliev after his five-year term ends next January. The election campaign focused mainly on the future of the European Union, relations with Russia and the threats from a possible rise in migrant inflows from neighboring Turkey. less

This photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 Bulgaria's Socialist party presidential candidate Rumen Radev speaks during his pre-election campaign in Sofia. Bulgarians will to choose their new president on Sunday ... more

This photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 Bulgaria's Socialist party presidential candidate Rumen Radev speaks during his pre-election campaign in Sofia. Bulgarians will to choose their new president on Sunday to replace incumbent Rosen Plevneliev after his five-year term ends next January. The election campaign focused mainly on the future of the European Union, relations with Russia and the threats from a possible rise in migrant inflows from neighboring Turkey less

A man passes in front pre-election poster of Bulgaria's centre-right ruling GERB party presidential candidate Tsetska Tsacheva and vice-president Plamen Manushev, right, in Sofia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. ... more

A man passes in front pre-election poster of Bulgaria's centre-right ruling GERB party presidential candidate Tsetska Tsacheva and vice-president Plamen Manushev, right, in Sofia, Friday, Nov. 4, 2016. Bulgarians will to choose their new president on Sunday to replace incumbent Rosen Plevneliev after his five-year term ends next January. The election campaign focused mainly on the future of the European Union, relations with Russia and the threats from a possible rise in migrant inflows from neighboring Turkey less

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — A former Bulgarian Air Force officer who has called on the European Union to lift its sanctions against Russia was the likely winner of the country's presidential election Sunday, but he did not secure enough votes to avoid a runoff, exit polls showed.

The exit polls gave opposition Socialist candidate Rumen Radev a narrow lead over the candidate of the ruling center-right party, Parliament Speaker Tsetska Tsacheva, who was seen as the race's front-runner ahead of Sunday's voting.

The Balkan nation's relations with Russia, the future of the European Union and increasing immigration since neighboring countries closed their borders to refugees and migrants fleeing Africa and the Middle East dominated the election campaign.

Bulgaria, which joined the European Union a decade ago, remains the poorest member of the bloc. The slow pace of reforms to eliminate graft and poverty has fueled disillusionment, while over 1 million young people in the nation of 7.2 million have emigrated in search of better futures abroad.

Radev, 53, and Tsacheva, 58, were two of 21 candidates seeking the largely ceremonial presidency in an election that for the first time made voting for the position compulsory for Bulgaria's 6.8 million voters.

If officials uphold the election results, the two will go head-to-head in a runoff election on Nov. 13.

Most political analysts said Radev's likely victory in the runoff poses a threat for Prime Minister Borisov and his ruling GERB party, possibly prompting early general elections next spring that could shake up Bulgaria's political scene.

Radev, a former fighter pilot, has pledged to comply with Bulgaria's European obligations, if he is elected. But he also has said that "being pro-European does not mean being anti-Russian" and insisted that sanctions on Moscow need to be lifted.

Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004, but many in this Black Sea country still share deep historical and cultural ties with Moscow. Energy-strapped Bulgaria is also heavily reliant on Russian supplies.

If she becomes Bulgaria's first female president, Tsacheva is widely expected to continue the pro-Europe foreign policy of incumbent Rosen Plevneliev.

"I voted for a stable and secure Bulgaria with educated and prospering people living there," she said while casting her ballot.

Although the head of state has no executive powers, and all major policies must be approved by Parliament, the popular election imbues the post with a fair amount of political influence.

The president also leads the armed forces, can veto legislation and signs international treaties.

A poll conducted by the Alpha Research agency had Radev receiving 24.8 percent of the vote on Sunday, Tsacheva 23.5 percent.

Another poll by the Gallup International agency gave Radev 26.7 percent and Tsacheva 22.5 percent.

Although official results are not expected before Tuesday, they are not expected to change the need for or makeup of the runoff context. </s> SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — The Latest on Bulgaria's election Sunday: (all times local):

10:50 p.m.

The leader of Bulgaria's Socialists has conceded defeat after exit polls showed her party placing second in the parliamentary election held Sunday.

Socialist Party leader Kornelia Ninova congratulated former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov's GERB party as the election's winner.

The Socialists, who campaigned on forging closer relations with Russia, ruled out any option of serving in a coalition government with the center-right GERB party.

Ninova says that if "GERB fails to form a government, we will try to do so."

Official returns are expected Monday.

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9:50 p.m.

The leader of Bulgaria's center-right GERB party says the party is prepared to form a government after exit polls showed it placing first in a parliamentary election.

Former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov said Sunday evening that GERB has the "duty to form a government because this is the will of the people and because we triggered these early elections."

Two exit polls gave the party more than 32 percent of the vote.

Borisov declined to say with which parties he would try to form a coalition government, pending final election results expected Monday.

However, he stressed: "We will not allow any interference of foreign powers in Bulgaria's internal affairs."

Tensions over the right of Bulgarian citizens living in Turkey to vote and allegations that Ankara was interfering in the election prompted pre-voting protests.

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8:10 p.m.

A pair of exit polls from Bulgaria's parliamentary election shows the center-right GERB party of former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov taking the lead.

The Alpha Research exit poll said GERB won 32.2 percent of the vote and the Socialists came in second with 28 percent.

A separate exit poll by Gallup International Balkan had GERB with 32.8 percent and the Socialists with 28.4 percent.

The Central Election Commission said voter turnout for Sunday's election stood at nearly 43 percent at 5 p.m., a larger showing than in previous elections.

Official results are expected Monday. If they confirm the exit polls, Borisov will be handed a mandate to form his third cabinet.

Story continues

The GERB party was defeated by Socialist President Rumen Radev in the November 2016 presidential election. Borisov resigned after Radev's victory.

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3:10 p.m.

Bulgarians are headed to the polls for the third time in four years in an early vote that could tilt the European Union's poorest member closer to Russia.

Socialist leader Kornelia Ninova, whose party wants EU sanctions lifted against Russia imposed after it annexed Crimea in 2014, says Sunday that she voted "for a change."

She also voted for "security at our borders and inside the country, for justice, and lastly not to give an opportunity to another country, no matter if it comes from East, West or South to interfere in our politics."

Bulgaria, located in southeast Europe, is both a member of the EU and NATO.

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11 a.m.

Bulgarians are headed to the polls for the third time in four years in an early vote that could tilt the European Union's poorest member closer to Russia.

Some 6.8 million Bulgarians are eligible to vote Sunday in an election widely predicted to bring about a fragile government coalition and a fragmented legislature where nationalist and populist parties could become kingmakers.

The election campaign focused on the future of EU, the influence of Russia and Turkey on domestic politics, as well as problems associated with an increased number of migrants.

Surveys say former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov's center-right GERB party is running neck-and neck with the Socialist Party of ex-communists. Both parties have pledged to improve economic relations with Russia, appealing to voters who feel let down by the EU.

"I voted for a stable, predictable and united Bulgaria, because tomorrow our nation needs to be united," Borisov said after casting his ballot.

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8 a.m.

The Bulgarian election on Sunday has sparked protests at the Turkish border for the last two days by nationalists who are determined to keep Bulgarian citizens living permanently in Turkey from coming in to vote.

The border blockade reflects rising tensions between the two countries over Turkey's open backing for a group that represents Bulgaria's sizeable Turkish minority. Some 10 percent of the 7.2 million Bulgarians are of Turkish origin or are Muslims. More than 300,000 have settled permanently in neighboring Turkey, but still hold a Bulgarian passport and are eligible to vote.

The blockade by nationalists could affect some 50,000 voters from Turkey.

The protesters claim Turkish officials are forcing expatriate voters to support DOST, a pro-Ankara party running for the first time that nationalists fear is a threat to Bulgarian interests.

The tense relations have prompted a spat between the two nations' leaders.

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7 a.m.

Boiko Borisov, a 57-year-old political maverick who combined man-in-the-street rhetoric with a strict obedience to the EU when he was prime minister, is a key figure in Bulgaria's election on Sunday.

His center-right GERB party was defeated by Socialist President Rumen Radev, a former air force general, in the November 2016 presidential election.

Borisov resigned after Radev's victory, and his party's popularity faded because of the slow pace of reforms to eliminate graft and poverty and overhaul the judicial system. It is now pledging to fight corruption and to raise minimum wages and supports EU sanctions on Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis.

Socialist leader Kornelia Ninova wants EU sanctions against Russia lifted, a bigger role for the state in the economy, and has wooed voters with promises of higher salaries and pensions.

A populist party Volya (Will) is trying to enter Parliament. It's led by Veselin Mareshki, a wealthy businessman who combines patriotic rhetoric with promises of strict immigration controls and friendlier relations with Moscow. </s> SOFIA, March 26 (Reuters) - Bulgaria's centre-right GERB party won a parliamentary election on Sunday, exit polls showed, giving it a chance to form another government after a GERB administration resigned in November, triggering the snap poll.

Exit polls conducted by Alpha Research and Gallup International Balkan (GIB) showed GERB had won between 32.2 percent and 32.8 percent of the vote, with the Socialist Party BSP trailing on 28.0 percent to 28.4 percent.

The Socialists had said they would improve ties with Russia if they won the election, even if that meant upsetting the country's European Union partners.

A government led by GERB prime minister Boiko Borisov resigned in November after the party's candidate lost a presidential election to pro-Russian, Socialist-backed candidate Rumen Radev. Bulgaria is currently in the hands of a caretaker administration.

Borisov said during the election campaign that he could hold talks to form a coalition government with the United Patriots nationalist alliance and the small Reformist Bloc grouping, if it crosses the parliamentary threshold of 4 percent.

The exit polls put the United Patriots in third place with 8.8-9.5 percent of the vote, followed by the MRF ethnic Turk party on 7.8-9.7 percent.

If the Reformist Bloc does not make it into parliament, Borisov will need to find other supporters, suggesting complicated coalition talks in the coming days. (Editing by Radu Marinas; Editing by Catherine Evans) </s> Former air force commander Radev won 59.4 percent of the vote, compared with 36.2 percent for the candidate of the ruling center-right GERB party, Tsetska Tsacheva, with 99.3 percent of polling stations counted.

The results, which reflected exit polls, meant Radev will take office for a 5-year term on Jan. 22 next year.
Voters in Bulgaria go to the polls for a presidential election, with exit polls showing no candidate receiving the majority necessary to win outright, and Rumen Radev and Tsetska Tsacheva likely to face one another in a run-off on 13 November.