Bulgaria Controversial Football Star-Mayor Unseated by Slim Margin - Exit Polls

The controversial mayor of Sliven and football legend, Yordan Lechkov, endorsed by the ruling party, has ranked second in the run off on Sunday, defeated by Socialist Kolio Milev.

The Socialist runner garnered 50.2% of the votes against 49.8% for Lechkov, exit polls show.

The football legend is currently on trial on charges of abuse of office, this time for illegally granting four companies a municipal building, which has cost the Sliven municipality nearly BGN 700 000.

A little more than a year ago, Lechkov, was kicked out of office by the local district court over alleged abuse of power. He was however reinstated just a few months later.

Prosecutors have raised nine charges against Lechkov, who is currently Vice President of the Bulgarian Football Federation.

The charges involve the sale of the flea market in the city which did not respect the decision of the municipal council. Lechkov is also alleged to have put pressure on the local National Revenue Agency office to cover up tax audits of certain local companies. Companies, linked to the Mayor, are also said to have benefited from dozens of public procurement deals.

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