Ruling GERB Party to Endorse Education Minister as Mayor of Sofia

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

Bulgaria's Education Minister, Iordanka Fandakova, is the unchallenged favorite of the ruling GERB party for the upcoming mayoral elections in Sofia.

The statement was made Thursday by the Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

According to Tsvetanov, his Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party was going to register their nominee as their own, but would welcome the support of other political formations.

The Interior Minister explained that the development of the capital Sofia is a top priority for the GERB cabinet and this is why Fandakova's nomination should not be seen as the sacrifice of an education minister for the sake of the mayoral post.

Tsvetanov declined to mention any names of possible people to replace Fandakova at the Education Ministry, adding the post was not yet vacant. He also failed to confirm if the current Foreign Minister, Rumiana Jeleva, is going to be the GERB EC Commissioner nomination.

In the mean time, the other right-wing formation, the Blue Coalition of the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) and Democrats for Strong Bulgaria (DSB) stated that they were very likely to declare their support for the GERB nominee to run at the elections for Mayor of Sofia on November 15.

The signing of a coalition agreement between UDF, DSB and GERB is also a possibility, the Blue Coalition says, but the outcome will be finalized Friday, after the GERB nomination is officially announced.

The "Blues" have declared their desire to be part of Sofia's management, but insist they did not impose any conditions in order to extend their support for GERB. The Blue Coalition might get one to two Deputy Mayor posts.

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