Bulgarian leaders agree poll

Bulgaria's ex-communist rulers bowed to 30 days of mass protests, agreeing to elections by 20 April, but President Petar Stoyanov warned that a political settlement would not ease the economic crisis. Thousands of opposition supporters turned road blocks into street parties, celebrating late into the night, despite sub-zero temperatures.

A joint statement issued after a meeting of political leaders yesterday said all parties in parliament had agreed not to try to form a government and the president would schedule elections in the second 10 days of April. Under the constitution, Mr Stoyanov must appoint a caretaker cabinet whose role will be to organise the polls. Reuter - Sofia