Students formed a human chain around Sofia University on Tuesday and declared a strike over alleged government manipulation of what were billed as Bulgaria's first free elections in 58 years.
The long-ruling Communists, who have renamed themselves the Socialist Party as they strive to break with a repressive past, appeared headed for a decisive victory in Sunday's elections.Initial official results announced Tuesday for 111 seats in the 400-seat Parliament gave the Socialists 68 seats against 32 for the main opposition alliance, the Union of Democratic Forces.
Eight seats went to the mainly ethnic Turkish Rights and Freedoms Movement. The other three were split among lesser parties.
Leaders of the 16-party Union of Democratic Forces claim a series of election irregularities affected the outcome of Sunday's first round of balloting.
They rejected the Socialists' offer to join a governing coalition.