Former King Mulls Coalition Option

The 2-month-old Bulgarian political movement headed by former King Simeon II looked set to fall just one seat short of an absolute majority in parliament, and the once-exiled monarch started his search for a coalition ally.

Central Electoral Commission figures from Sunday’s poll showed Simeon’s group winning 120 seats in the 240-member chamber. Earlier, a commission spokeswoman said that Simeon’s movement looked set to win 121 seats.

Simeon said he would take his time selecting a government partner. He said Sunday that he favored a broad coalition with those who shared his priorities: speedy economic growth, a drive to join the European Union and NATO, and a resolute fight against graft.