Father Boyan Saraev, who was reported as a possible candidate in the mayoral elections in the country, will not run for mayor in his parish is in the Kardzhali region in southern Bulgaria, Darik News reported.

Last week Father Saraev secured the backing of two parties for his planned bid for the Kardzhali city hall at the local elections in fall

Ultra-nationalist Ataka and Sofia Mayor Boyko Borisov's GERB both gave their backing for the priest who wanted to challenge the stranglehold of ethnic Turk MRF party in the region.

Saraev will not run for the post because the Plovdiv Metropolitan Bishop Nikolay did not give him his blessing.

Kardzhali is one of the smaller regions in Bulgaria, home to only 2,5% of the country's population, but one of the few areas where the ethnic Turks are the majority of residents.

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