Bulgaria pact sought

SOFIA: Bulgaria’s centre-right Gerb party yesterday faced the prospect of lengthy coalition talks after an election victory tinged by the strong showing of pro-Russian Socialists and anti-migrant nationalists.

Gerb leader Boiko Borisov, 57, whose resignation last year triggered the snap election, was due to chair a meeting of his party leadership yesterday.

With 99% of votes counted, Gerb was seen taking 96 of parliament’s 240 seats, leaving it short of a majority and almost certain to seek a deal with the third-placed United Patriots, which has internal rifts over policy towards Russia and the EU, complicating talks. – Reuters