Bulgarian President Mr Petar Stoyanov has conceded defeat in a presidentaial election run-off round at the hands of Socialist Party leader Mr Georgi Parvanov.
"My biggest pain is for the people who have voted for me. We were just one step away from a victory and I am sure they feel very dramatic about this loss", he said.
Official results were expected tomorrow.
Several polling agencies and a non-government organisation said partial results and exit polls showed Mr Parvanov (44) ahead of the 49-year-old incumbent.