"Bulgaria: Turkish Party Urged to Rethink Policies*
By Milena Borden**
LONDON (IWPR)--Interethnic relations are dominating political debate in Bulgaria in the run-up to June's parliamentary elections, as the opposition and public question the role of the ruling Turkish minority
party, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, M
MRF, which is a junior partner in the governing
coalition led by the National Movement Simeon II, NMS, is facing challenges from its political rivals - both Turkish and ethnic Bulgarians - and resentment from many Bulgarians.
Analysts say that the party is perceived in two ways.
There are those who see it as an important contributor
to Bulgaria's ethnic peace and a protector of the rights of the Turkish minority, which comprises some eight per cent of the eight million population."
More:Bnn, Bulgarian news network - Bulgaria: Turkish Party Urged to Rethink Policies