Bulgaria's parliament paved the way for the introduction of compulsory voting in elections, passing a draft bill to amend the electoral code at its first reading.
The amendments were adopted with 121 MPs voting in favour, 27 being against and 21 lawmakers abstaining.
The changes, which foresee the imposition of sanctions for those not voting, were proposed by one of the parties supporting the coalition government - the Patriotic Front.
Are the Bulgarians anxious about the compulsory voting in elections?
Political analysis by Plamen Asenov.
