Political parties

Germany has said it expected its tax intake to be smaller than initially expected in 2024, adding to budget tensions dividing the Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition.

Berlin would collect 30.8 billion euros ($33.6 billion) fewer than previously expected in the coming year, according to a biannual estimate published by the finance ministry.

All sealed bags containing nearly 1.8 million overseas votes have reached the capital Ankara, with the bags kept safe in a tight security room protected with five locks.

Some 60 million Turks will cast their votes on May 14 to elect their 13th president and the 600-seat parliament in an election that many describe as the most critical one not only for Türkiye but also for the wider region.

"We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) accused the chairwoman of the GERB-SDS parliamentary group, Desislava Atanasova, of violating the gentlemen's agreement on the rotation of the chairmanship of the parliament and the legal commission.

Supporters of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan take a part in a choreography during a 'Unity, Will, Victory' rally at Galatasaray's Nef Stadium in Istanbul, 27 November 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/ERDEM SAHIN

As President Erdogan finds himself in troubled waters after ruling the country for 21 years, the political atmosphere is tense and both sides predict victory.

Muharrem Ince, leader of the Homeland Party and former presidential candidate for Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party, CHP. Photo: EPA-EFE/SEDAT SUNA

"I will leave them no excuses. Otherwise, they will put the blame on us [if incumbent President Erdogan's wins]," Ince told a press conference in Ankara in front of his party headquarters.

The departed but mostly unlamented coalition government, the first version of which was pieced together in February 2020 by four parties in a push to unseat Fico's Smer party following eight years of increasing authoritarianism and corruption, certainly wasn't helped by circumstances.

Mariya Gabriel, GERB's European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Photo: European Parliament.

GERB expects to receive a mandate from President Rumen Radev to form a government. The party is yet to announce other offerings for ministerial positions.

Tomorrow GERB-SDS will most likely propose Mariya Gabriel as prime minister, bTV reported.

BELGRADE- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday evening a broader political movement might run in the next elections instead of his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

In an appearance on a Happy TV talk show, Vucic said that, despite persistent talk that he would never quit power, he would remain in his post for only as long as his term allowed him.