Slavcho Atanasov, nominated by the self-proclaimed right-wing party of Sofia mayor GERB and the nationalist VMRO, has been elected mayor of Bulgaria's second-biggest town of Plovdiv, exit polls show.

The percentage of the votes that Slavcho Atanasov garnered varies from 57,6% (Gallup) through 56% (Sova Harris) to 54,3% (Alpha Reseach).

"The citizens of Plovdiv decided to back a coalition, which was built on our joint visions for the future of the town, on the basis of a model very close to the people," Atanasov commented.

Zahari Georgiev, the candidate of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, ranked second in the electoral race with 21,8% of the cast ballots, data of Alpha Research shows.

The winner Slavcho Atanasov, 39, has worked as a psychologist in the largely Roma populated district of Stolipinovo. Prior to the elections, he served as a secretary of VMRO district organization.

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