Bulgarians To Pick New President

A Socialist and an anti-Communist will square off in presidential elections set for Oct. 27.

Petar Stoyanov, deputy leader of the Union of Democratic Forces, the main opposition coalition, will face Georgi Pirinski, foreign minister of the Socialist government of former Communists.

Incumbent president Zhelyu Zhelev was defeated in a primary called last month by the anti-communist opposition. Parliament set the election date Friday.

Many voters blame Pirinski’s party for rapidly worsening economic conditions.