March 18 (BTA) - Five political formations are sure to enter the future Parliament, while two are on the verge, show data from a survey, commissioned by the 24 Chassa daily newspaper and conducted by the Trend polling agency face-to-face among 1,004 adults between March 9 and 14.

The respondents were presented with a list of the parties and coalitions similar to a ballot that will be used in the upcoming Parliamentary elections scheduled for April 4.

No serious changes were observed in voters' attitudes, compared to Trend's survey from last month, the analysts comment.

The GERB-UDF coalition remains a leader with 28.8 per cent of respondents saying they would vote for them. The Bulgarian Socialist Party ranks second with a little over 5 per cent behind their main opponents. The third place is contested, as the difference is small between Ima Takuv Narod [There Is Such a People] with 12.7 per cent and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) with 12.1 per cent. Democratic Bulgaria is the fourth certain participant in the next Parliament with 5.9 per cent of support from respondents, who said they will vote. Izpravi Se! Mutri Vun! [Rise Up! Thugs Out!] and VMRO remain on the verge of the parliamentary barrier with 4.1 per cent and 4 per cent of voter support. The remaining political formations are under the 4 per cent threshold that would ensure them representation in the next National Assembly.

A total of 45 per cent of all respondents have said they will certainly exercise their right to vote, but according to analysts, the spread of COVID-19 could impact voter turnout, which may end up being less than projected by survey results.

Of those respondents who said they will vote in the upcoming elections, 83 per cent have decided who they will support, while 17 per cent are still hesitant. A total of 38 per cent have said they will take advantage of preferential voting and support a specific candidate, while 45 per cent will not. RI/MY


/DT/