Bulgarian Socialists Nominate Legendary Actor Stefan Danailov for Vice President

Actor Stefan Danailov (right) pictured with Socialist leader Sergey Stanishev. Photo by BGNES

The opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party has nominated Stefan Danailov, one of the most beloved Bulgarian actors, as its candidate for Vice President in the October 23 elections.

Danailov, the Culture Minister in the Socialist-led Cabinet in 2005-2009, who is known both for his roles in emblematic movies in the communist period, and most recently for being one of the leads in hit TV series “Staklem Dom” (“Glass Home”), will be the running mate of the Socialists' presidential candidate, former Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin.

Danailov's nomination for Vice President was proposed by Socialist leader Sergey Stanishev to the National Council of the Socialist Party, and was approved with 101 votes in favor and one vote against, cast by prominent dissenter, Prof. Georgi Bliznashki.

Danailov was long rumored to be the most likely Socialist candidate for President but he sought to refute such reports at numerous occasions in the recent months, leading the Socialists to pick Ivaylo Kalfin as presidential runner.

Upon presenting the nomination, Stanishev read a letter from Danailov, who said he had revised his position on bidding for the Bulgarian Presidency.

The BSP National Council has given a final approval to the party nominees for the Bulgarian presidential elections on October 23, 2011.