Bulgaria appears to have decided on its nomination for the next United Nations Secretary General, capital.bg speculated on Monday after the government released a statement that Kristalina Georgieva has signalled her intention to carry on in her present position.

“European Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva has assured Prime Minister Boyko Borisov over the phone that the political situation in Europe, the migration crisis, the reforms under discussion in the EU and the serious issues that are yet to be resolved in her EU Budget and Human Resources portfolio, oblige her to devote her full attention to the topics, for which she had been granted the confidence of the Bulgarian government, the European Parliament and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker”, read the one-paragraph statement [BG] posted on the government website.

According to capital.bg, “it seems quite strange” why would a member of the European Commission make this “brief and enigmatic” statement before the Bulgarian prime minister and why would the Bulgarian government release it as an official statement.

“Most likely, the answer probably is that the decision of the Bulgarian nomination for the next UN Secretary General has already been made and this is the way for Borisov to hint at it,” capital.bg concluded.

The presence of two potential Bulgarian nominations - UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and Georgieva, has stirred political turbulence in the country. 

Bokova, widely seen as the frontrunner, said last month her potential election to the UN Secretary General's office can "put Bulgaria on the world map".

According to capital.bg, Borisov could formally announce the nomination of Irina Bokova within days.

Borisov said last week that the Bulgarian nomination for UN Secretary-General would be unveiled by the end of March.