Incumbent to Face Businessman in Varna Mayoral Vote Run-off

Incumbent Kiril Yordanov (pictured) will face a local businessman in his bid for a fourth consecutive term as Varna Mayor. Photo by briz15.com

The incumbent Mayor of Bulgaria's Black Sea city of Varna Kiril Yordanov failed to get reelected for a fourth term at the first round in Sunday's local elections.

Yordanov received 30.4% of the votes, according to exit polls, and will face Veselin Mareshki, a rather controversial local businessman who owns a chain of drug stores, in the run-off next Sunday.

Yordanov was formerly elected as a candidate of the Bulgarian Socialist Party but has recently switched sides and is now the candidate of the ruling center right party GERB of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Vesselin Mareshki is a controversial Bulgarian businessman, founder and owner of the eponymous large low-cost drug store chain. He has been supported by an initiative committee and a coalition of smaller parties.

His name was linked to allegations of vote buying during the local elections two years ago, when he also ran for mayor of Varna. Back then he handed out banknotes of BGN 100 to teachers who had walked off the job in protest against small wages. The businessman had promised them more money in case he become elected, which he failed to do. Police searched his offices.

There have been reports of similar vicious practices this year as well.

Borislav Gutsanov, candidate of the Bulgarian Socialist Party and former City Council head, ended third without chances to make it to the second round.

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