Sofia Mayoral Elections "War" Begins ahead of Official Campaign

The Sofia branch organizations of the ruling GERB party want to nominate current Education Minister, Iordanka Fandakova, to run for Mayor of Sofia. File Photo

Political parties wishing to participate with candidates for the Sofia mayoral elections must register with the Central Electoral Commission (CEK) by October 10.

The official start of the election campaign is October 20, 25 days before the November 15 elections as required by law.

In the mean time, it became clear that the Sofia branch organizations of the ruling Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party want to nominate current Education Minister, Iordanka Fandakova, for the post thus confirming earlier rumors she would be their chosen candidate.

The meeting to determine the official GERB nomination is scheduled for Thursday.

Talks between GERB and the other right-wing parties - Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) and Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB), members of the so-called "Blue Coalition" for a joint rightist nomination are ongoing. Both UDF and DSB said Tuesday they are discussing their position in case Fandakova receives the nomination.

Bulgaria's Socialist Party (BSP) already nominated former Deputy Finance Minister, Georgi Kadiev, known as the "red yuppie", to run for mayor of the capital at a meeting of the party Sofia unit on September 14.

Former PM, and BSP leader, Sergey Stanishev, commented on the nomination, saying the Sofia BSP branch must act responsibly, adding Kadiev was a strong candidate, but would not receive support beyond the socialist members and followers.

When asked if he, himself, would run for Mayor, Stanishev reiterated the nomination must be motivating for all Sofia residents, not just for the BSP sympathizers, and his own was very politically and party charged.

Earlier Tuesday, Kadiev said he was not absolutely certain that he will be the only BSP candidate for the position. Kadiev also launched an attack on Stanishev, saying, "if Stanishev was to run for mayor, he might have attracted more electorate, but he would also bring negatives," adding he has never been in Stanishev's camp.

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