GERB-UDF coalition leads in Bulgaria's parliamentary polls

A coalition between Bulgaria's center-right GERB party and the right-wing Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) is leading in the country's parliamentary elections on Sunday, according to exit polls, reported Xinhua.

According to Alpha Research Agency's exit poll, GERB-UDF is expected to have 25.7 percent of the votes, against 17.6 percent for a five-party coalition led by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP).

Similarly, an exit poll by Gallup said that GERB-UDF is leading the elections with 25.0 percent. However, according to Gallup, "There Is Such A People" comes second with 17.1 percent, followed by BSP with 16.7 percent.

A total of 6,986 candidates from 22 political parties and eight coalitions are vying for the 240 seats in the National Assembly, the country's parliament.

According to the country's legislation, parties and coalitions need to gain at least 4 percent of the votes to enter the parliament. The National Assembly is elected for a term of four years.

The official results are expected on Thursday.