Bulgaria sunk deeper into political uncertainty after final election results published Wednesday showed that the Socialist party and potential partner MRF have failed to secure enough seats to form a government. Both parties are now looking to the fiercely nationalist and unpredictable Ataka party for backing, raising the spectre of an unstable and short-lived government. Final results of Sunday's elections showed the outgoing GERB conservatives garnering 30.5 percent of the vote, followed by the Socialist BSP with 26.61 percent.

OSCE observers said Monday that Bulgaria's elections had overall been conducted properly but denounced "serious violations" such as the buying of votes in the run up to the polls. The vote on Sunday was "held in a competitive environment, fundamental freedoms were respected, and the administration ... was well managed," a Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe statement said.

Bulgarian authorities said Saturday they seized 350,000 illegal ballot papers a day before elections, sparking furious opposition accusations of fraud against the former ruling party of ex-premier Boyko Borisov. Socialist party leader Sergey Stanishev said the discovery was "preparation for total falsification of the elections." "350,000 ballots correspond to 10 percent of the expected turnout tomorrow and ensure about 25 lawmakers' seats," he said.

Bulgarian pensioner Stefka Popova takes a dim view of the politicians running for office in elections Sunday in the EU's poorest member state. "I won't vote. They've lost all respect for their own people," the retired metallurgy worker told AFP as she sold newspapers in Sofia to supplement her meagre pension. Her anger was exacerbated by the discovery on Saturday of 350,000 illegal ballot papers at a printing firm whose owner is reportedly close to the former prime minister's party.