November 4 (SeeNews) - Tsetska Tsacheva, the candidate of governing centre-right GERB party for Bulgaria's upcoming presidential elections, holds a lead of 4.1% over main opposition Socialists' candidate Rumen Radev, a new poll has shown.
Tsacheva will win 27.2% of the vote if the elections were held now, according to the poll conducted by Gallup International Balkan in the period 24-31 of October. The results of the poll were published on Thursday, three days before the vote.
Support for Radev stood at 23.1% in the poll, suggesting a run-off.
Support for Krassimir Karakachanov, candidate of nationalist Patriotic Front coalition and Ataka party, stood at 11.5% in the poll in which 820 respondents were interviewed.
Other participants in the first round of the elections include businessman Veselin Mareshki, with 7.6% support, and former prime minister Plamen Oresharski, backed by 7.3% of the respondents.
Traycho Traykov, the candidate of GERB's junior partner in the governing coalition, the right-wing Reformist Bloc (RB), and Ivaylo Kalfin, candidate of left-wing Alternative for Bulgarian Revival (ABV), are both seen at around the 5% mark.
Voter turnout is expected to reach 55% in the first round.
In a possible run-off pitting Tsacheva against Radev, the Socialist candidate holds a lead of 53% versus 47% for Tsacheva, according to the results of the poll.
If Tsacheva were to face Karakachanov in the second round, the vote will be even closer, with Karakachanov expected to win 51% against 49% for GERB’s candidate.
Simultaneously with the presidential elections, Bulgarians will vote in a referendum on changes to the country's voting system.
The question on whether or not a majoritarian voting system with absolute majority in two rounds should be used to elect the members of parliament receives an 82% “yes” vote with 15% planning to vote against.
The introduction of compulsory voting in elections and referenda receives the support of 58%, while 37% are against.
Support for cutting the state subsidy for political parties and coalitions to 1 lev ($0.57/0.510 euro) per valid vote is seen at 87%, with “against” vote seen at 11%.
(1 euro = 1.95583 euro)