Bulgarians Reflect Ahead of President, Mayors Election Runoff

Saturday is a so-called "day of reflection" in Bulgaria, as it precedes the second round of the presidential and municipal elections October 30.

Bulgarian legislation allows no electioneering and canvassing both on the day of reflection and the day citizens cast their ballots.

The presidential race has pitted ruling GERB party's candidate, erstwhile popular regional development minister Rosen Plevneliev, against the nominee of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party, MEP Ivaylo Kalfin.

At the first round October 23, Plevneliev got some 40% of the vote, while Kalfin received 29%, making for a difference of some 375,000 votes.

Former European Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, running as an independent, came out third with 14% of the vote, while other candidates received less than 4%.

Kuneva has refused to endorse Kalfin or Plevneliev for the second round, stating they both stand for things she cannot agree to, making a mystery of whom her supporters will vote for on Sunday.

Two thirds, or 173 out of 264, of Bulgarian towns, and 831 villages have also to elect their mayors October 30.

19 of Bulgaria's 28 major regional cities will be among those holding run-offs, with 11 of them pitting representatives of ruling GERB against the Bulgarian Socialist Party. Among the closest second rounds are those in Smolyan, Vratsa, Razgrad, Vidin and Sliven.

Ruling GERB party has made a good showing at the first round, winning some 38% of the overall vote, and grabbing at the first round regional cities of Burgas, Gabrovo, Dobrich and capital Sofia, where incumbent Yordanka Fandakova was re-elected.

In a number of cities the GERB candidate has the better chances to win; at places where the socialist candidate did not reach the run-off, the Socialist Party has recommended its supporters to vote for the local rival of the GERB candidate.

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