Bulgaria's Burgas Mayor Wins Second Term with Whopping 70%

Burgas incumbent mayor Dimitar Nikolov has recorded one of the most impressive victories in Bulgaria’s local elections this year. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

The people of Burgas, the second-largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast, gave an overwhelming support to their incumbent mayor Dimitar Nikolov, who won a second term with nearly 70% of the votes.

Dimitar Nikolov, who sought re-election on the ticket of the ruling GERB party of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, garnered a whopping 65.9% of the votes, leaving the Socialist runner Pavel Marinov trailing behind with 11%.

Two years ago Nikolov secured his victory in the mayoral race after winning a run-off against Valeri Simeonov, nominated by the nationalist party Ataka.

Back then Nikolov, who was also backed by a wide coalition of other rightist parties, came close to winning as early as in the first round with 42,7% of the vote. At the run-off he managed to garner 65,3% of the ballots.

An economist by profession, he worked from 1998 to 2006 as executive director of the "Pobeda" AD, a leading confectionery company, involved in the production of biscuits, croissants, mini-cakes and candies.