Local elections results based on 100% voting protocols processed: 8 district cities elected mayors in first round, 11 go to run-off

The Central Election Commission on October 31 published the results from the first round of the municipal elections based on 100% of the voting protocols of the polling stations in 27 district cities processed. These are Blagoevgrad, Bourgas, Veliko Tarnovo, Varna, Vidin, Vratsa, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Lovech, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Rousse, Targovishte, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Haskovo, Shumen and Yambol.

In eight district cities - Bourgas, Vratsa, Montana, Yambol, Stara Zagora, Pernik, Kardzhali and Targovishte - there will be no run-off as there is a winner elected in the first round of voting on October 29.

“We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” (Save Sofia) candidate Vassil and Vanya Grigorova, backed by the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) will contest the election runoff in Sofia on November 5.

Based on 100% of the voting protocols processed, Terziev received 31.8% of the vote, or 119,121 people voted to support him.

Grigorova won 21.59% of the vote, or 80,875 voters.

GERB’s candidate Anton Hekimyan is third with 17.83% of the vote, or 66,792 votes.

In the other district cities, the contests in the second round of voting will be between the following candidates:

Blagoevgrad: Incumbent mayor Ilko Stoyanov (independent backed by GERB) and Metodi Baikushev (WCC-DB)

Varna: Incumbent Ivan Portnih (GERB) and Blagomir Kotsev (WCC-DB)

Veliko Turnovo: Incumbent Daniel Panov (GERB) and Yordan Terziyski (WCC-DB)

Vidin: Incumbent Tsvetan Tsenkov (Union of Democratic Forces) and Alexander Mateev (GERB).

Gabrovo: Incumbent Tanya Hristova (GERB) and Daniel Petrov (Vazrazhdane)

Dobrich: Incumbent Yordan Yordanov (local coalition) and Krassimir Nikolov (GERB)

Kyustendil: Incumbent Petar Paunov (local coalition) backed by GERB) and Ognyan Atanassov (Greens)

Lovech: Valentina Nedyalkova (GERB) and Stratsimir Petkov (There is Such a People)

Pazardzhik: Incumbent Todor Popov local coalition)) and Petar Kulenski (WCC-DB)

Pleven: Valentin Hristov (GERB) and incumbent Georgi Spartanski (local coalition)

Plovdiv: Kostadin Dimitrov (GERB) and Ivailo Staribratov (WCC-DB).

Razgrad: Miroslav Grancharov (WCC-DB) and Dobrin Dobrev (local coalition))

Rousse: Incumbent Pencho Milkov (BSP) and Ivan Ivanov (GERB).

Silistra: Alexander Sabanov (independent) and Ivelin Ivanov (GERB)

Sliven: Incumbent Stefan Radev (GERB) and Plamen Stoyanov (Direct Democracy)

Smolyan: Incumbent Nikolai Melemov (GERB) and Stefan Sabrutev (local coalition))

Haskovo: Incumbent Stanislav Dechev (GERB) and Nikolai Stavrev (independent)

Shoumen: Hristo Hristov (BSP) and Georgi Kolev (GERB).

The distribution of municipal council seats in the country is clear.

In the capital city Sofia, the WCC-DB (Save Sofia) coalition won 34% of the seats in the local parliament. GERB-UDF are second with 19.9%. Coalition BSP for Bulgaria are third with 13.9% of the votes.

In the local parliament in Plovdiv, GERB will prevail with 23% of the votes for municipal councillors. WCC-DB are second with 18%, third are the local coalition "United for Plovdiv" with 13.4%.

In Varna, WCC-DB and GERB were almost with equal shares of the votes in the local municipal council - with 14.6% and 14.4% respectively. Vazrazhdane is third with 12%.