Mayor In Northwestern Bulgaria Accused Of Mixing Social Aid With Election Campaign

A mayor in northwestern Bulgaria is under scrutiny after allegedly distributing social benefits alongside a political party’s election materials. The case was presented as an example of voter influence involving individuals in public office, according to Acting Interior Minister Emil Dechev.

Authorities have launched a pre-trial investigation into the incident. The allegations suggest that welfare assistance provided by a foundation was handed out together with campaign brochures, raising concerns about the blending of social support and electoral messaging.

Dechev also pointed to a separate case involving a deputy mayor from a border municipality. In that instance, the official is accused of attempting to recruit an intermediary for vote buying, offering payment per voter willing to sell their vote, while also proposing that the intermediary retain a portion of the money.

Speaking on the broader issue of electoral integrity, Dechev reiterated that law enforcement will act without exception regardless of rank or position. “Everyone is equal before the law. The law does not distinguish whether someone is a mayor or an ordinary citizen,” he stated, as quoted by BTA.

He added that he was in Ruse alongside Deputy Interior Minister Kaloyan Miltenov and Acting Interior Ministry Secretary General Georgi Kandev as part of a nationwide series of meetings with regional police directorates. According to him, these discussions are intended to improve coordination and operational effectiveness.

Dechev emphasized the importance of direct communication with regional structures, saying that “a live conversation is much more valuable than the messages we convey through television and radio interviews, as well as through other channels.” He also pointed to what he described as growing public confidence in the Interior Ministry’s leadership, referencing statistics related to reports of crimes against citizens’ political rights.