Mayoral Race in Bulgaria's Varna Marred by Mutual Threats

The long-standing Mayor of the Bulgarian Black Sea capital Varna, Kiril Yordanov, failed to win another term in office during the first round of local elections Sunday. Photo by BGNES

The current Mayor of the Black Sea capital of Varna, Kiril Yordanov, is threatening with a law suit his main opponent in the mayoral race, the independent candidate, Veselin Mareshki.

Yordanov was previously endorsed by the opposition left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party BSP, and now by Bulgaria's ruling, center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria, GERB, party. He issued Monday an official statement to businessman, owner of pharmacies chain, Mareshki, where he announces he will sue the latter for slander in public accusations, voiced in the aftermath of the first round of elections Sunday night.

The Varna Mayor reminds that Mareshki has already been sentenced for slander. His move came after accusations of corruption and embezzlement at the City Hall, made by the businessman when exit polls results were announced on October 23.

Yordanov is inviting Mareshki to a TV debate, stressing he was not going to discuss Varna's future "on the city's squares."

"I invite you, not you paid mob," the Mayor points out.

With 57% of the ballots counted, Yordanov has 30% while Mareshki got 18.6%. The two are going to face each other at the runoff next Sunday.

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