Bulgaria's first-ever European elections 'an important date for the Bulgarian people'
Sunday May 20th will represent a "very important date" for the Bulgarian people and the country's democratic record as citizens vote to elect European members of parliament for the first time.
Currently, Bulgaria is represented in the European parliament by a number of temporary MEPs, who will be replaced by 18 full-time MEPs on five-year mandates, with the current mandate set to end in 2009.
The EU said it is "crucial" that the 6.7 million-strong Bulgarian electorate comes out to vote, especially since elections lie "at the heart of democracy".
Hans-Gert Pottering, the president of the European parliament, commented: "Having been myself a Member of the European Parliament since 1979, I have personally experienced six direct EP elections and I would like to call on all Bulgarian citizens to take part in this important vote."
Romania, which joined the EU at the same time as Bulgaria earlier in the year, will host its own elections in August for its allocation of 35 MEPs.
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