Mayoral Election in Varna Could Be Delayed by 3 Months

The mayoral election in the Bulgarian Black Sea city of Varna can be delayed by three months, according to the spokesperson of the Central Electoral Commission, Biser Troyanov.

Speaking for the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, Troyanov said Thursday that the preliminary procedures will take 40 months, and then President, Rosen Plevneliev, can schedule partial local election in the city.

Fourth-term Varna Mayor, Kiril Yordanov, resigned Wednesday in the aftermath of massive protest rallies against poverty and corruption with demonstrators demanding his ousting. Wednesday was also a day of national mourning in Bulgaria in commemoration of Varna man, Plamen Goranov, who passed away Sunday after setting himself on fire.

In addition to demanding the Yordanov's resignation, he was one of the few to explicitly blame shady TIM business group, centered in Varna, for the dire situation in the country and in the north-east in particular.

At the time of the immolation, Goranov had been holding a sign asking for the resignation of the Mayor and the entire municipal council.

Troyanov said Thursday that the municipal council can log a collective resignation, but this was not mandatory as a consequence of the resignation of the Mayor as he had different functions.

BGN 21 M has already been slated for the snap election, he further informed, adding the pending caretaker government would organize and prepare the vote.

Troyanov commented the shortened time frame would pose difficulties for political parties and coalitions which need a petition with 7 000 signatures in order to be registered by the Central Electoral Commission and then register their candidates with the regional commissions.

The center-right government of Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov resigned amid nationwide protests on February 20, with snap elections to be probably held May 12, just two months ahead of the regular date in July.