Sofia, 19 February 1997 (RFE/RL) - Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov yesterday vetoed election law changes that would have allowed parties with only three percent of the poll to win parliamentary seats. Stoyanov said lowering the minimum requirement from the current four percent would destabilize the next parliament.
The Socialist Party used its absolute majority in parliament to pass the changes last week. The move could aid small parties that have broken away from the Socialists but do not have enough support to break the four percent barrier.
A simple majority is needed to override the veto. But the president's dissolution of the current Socialist-dominated parliament is due to take effect after today's session. New parliamentary elections are scheduled for April 19.