National conservatism

REUTERS

Demonstrators chanted anti-European Union slogans as they took to the streets of Skopje again on April 18 in a protest against the proposed inclusion of ethnic Albanian parties in a governing coalition.

The parliamentary group of Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) will hold a meeting today, April 18, before the first working day of the 44th Bulgarian National Assembly, Focus News Agency reported.

The negotiations with coalition of the United Patriots - NFSB, ATAKA and VMRO, are also expected to continue.

At the Bulgarian National Assembly, the talks between the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) and coalition United Patriots - NFSB, VMRO and Ataka are continuing, according to  FOCUS News Agency.

Photo: AP

Protesters took to the streets of Skopje for a 43rd day of protests on April 10 holding shields made of cardboard to symbolize their proclaimed goal to protect the country from being ruled by a coalition of Social Democrats and ethnic Albanians.

The Regional Administration of Sofia will send official notices to the political leadership of the Union for Democratic Forces (UDF), Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB), "Movement 21" and ABV demanding to leave the government buildings that inhabit against preferential rent.

Diplomats and political analysts say that it is becoming increasingly certain that the US and European governments may soon resort to various sanctions against Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov and former Prime Minister and leader of the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE, Nikola Gruevski.

Ivanov and Gruevski are continuing to block the formation of an opposition-led government.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed his "strong support" to Aleksandar Vucic, a candidate in the April 2 presidential elections in Serbia.

Vucic's ruling SNS party said this in a statement on Thursday.

The Central Election commission published at 12:45 hrs on March 27 the results from 99.98% of protocols from section electoral commissions processed by regional electoral commissions.

According to CEC, parties, coalitions and independent candidates have the following results:

GERB - 32.66%

BSP - 27.19%

United Patriots - NFSB, Ataka, VMRO - 8.99%

Radan Kanev has resigned as leader of the coalition New Republic. He will do the same as leader of Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) later on Monday afternoon.

The Central Election commission published data at 10:00 hrs on March 27 with 98.50% of the protocols of section electoral commissions having been processed by regional electoral commissions.

According to CEC data, parties, coalitions and independent candidates have the following results:

GERB - 32.64%

BSP - 27.12%

United Patriots - NFSB, Ataka, VMRO - 9.06%