Bulgaria stands no chance in the UN Secretary General race if it changes its candidate to take up the office, former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski has said.

He has argued Bulgaria still has a "historic" chance with Bokova's candidacy.

Kwasniewski, an outspoken supporter of UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova who is running for the office, has told private bTV station he finds it "hard to believe" that Bulgaria could possibly pick EU Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva instead of Bokova, who is the country's official nominee.

Reports emerged, citing "government sources", that Sofia was considering whether to take the step amid information that several Eastern European countries might raise Georgieva's nomination. Bokova's support in the meantime has dwindled after a new straw poll at the UN Security Council.

"It would be a huge mistake," he has told bTV. "Firstly, procedures began months ago it it will be difficult to put forward a new person at the end of the race."

"It is difficult for me to even imagine that Bulgaria would commit such a political mistake."

"To have a Secretary General from our part of Europe would be a huge success, but for Bulgaria such a success would be a historic one."

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