Bulgaria: Prime Minister Boyko Borisov resigns

Conservative PM steps down after his party's candidate suffers heavy defeat in presidential vote to pro-Russia general.

Bulgaria's prime minister has stepped down after his presidential nominee suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of a Moscow-friendly general backed by the opposition.

The resignation of conservative leader Boyko Borisov on Monday is expected to trigger early elections in spring.

"In the first working day of the parliament we will tender the government resignation," Borisov had told reporters on Sunday.

After congratulating the election winner, socialist-backed opposition candidate Rumen Radev, Borisov acknowledged that the outcome means his party had lost its majority of support.

"The results clearly shows the governing coalition has no majority and cannot pass the [upcoming] budget," he said.