Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The first round of local elections has ended

Photo: BGNES

At 8 pm local time, the first round of the regular local elections in Bulgaria has ended. According to the Central Election Commission, the voting took place normally and without significant violations.

In Sofia, a run-off between Vasil Terziev (PP-DB, Save Sofia) and Vanya Grigorova (BSP for Bulgaria, the Left, etc.) is emerging. 

There will also be runoffs in Plovdiv - between Kostadin Dimitrov (GERB) and Ivaylo Staribratov (PP-DB), Varna - between Ivan Portnih (GERB) and Blagomir Kotsev (PP-DB), in Blagoevgrad - between Ilko Stoyanov (independent) and Metodi Baikushev (PP-DB). 

In Kardzhali the winner is the MRF candidate Erol Myumyun with 55.8%. Burgas and Stara Zagora are also among the cities in which, according to preliminary data, the mayor was elected in the first round. In Burgas, the previous mayor Dimitar Nikolov won, and in Stara Zagora - Zivko Todorov. Both are candidates of GERB.

The voter turnout in the capital Sofia at 7 pm was 36.0%, in Plovdiv - 33.7%, in Varna - 39.9%, in Blagoevgrad - 55.0%, and in Kardzhali - 39.2%.

In the vote for municipal councilors in Sofia, the leader is PP-DB, Save Sofia  - 40.6%, in Plovdiv GERB leads with 29.7%, followed by PP-DB with 22.1%, in Varna - GERB (22.8% ) and PP-DB (21.8%), in Blagoevgrad - GERB leads with 20.1%, followed by PP-DB - 15.2%, in Kardzhali the MRF clearly leads again with 56%.

The voter turnout for municipal councilors at 7 pm in Sofia was 35.3%, in Plovdiv - 32.9%, in Varna - 40.0%, in Blagoevgrad - 54.5%, in Kardzhali - 39.2%.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Maximum temperatures will drop by 2-3°C during the day

On Thursday , the lowest temperatures will be between 16 and 21°C; in Sofia – about 18°C. During the day it will be sunny over most of the country. In the afternoon hours, there will be temporary increases in cloudiness over the..

published on 8/13/25 7:05 PM

ECB’s Lagarde welcomes design of Bulgaria’s €1 coin

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde has welcomed the design of Bulgaria’s €1 coin in a Facebook post, the state news agency BTA reported. “Exciting news for Bulgaria and the euro area! Take a first look at the design of Bulgaria’s €1..

published on 8/13/25 5:46 PM

German jets escort Ryanair flight from Sofia to London after hoax emergency call

German fighter jets escorted a Ryanair Boeing 737 from Sofia to London on 11 August after a false emergency call claimed there was a Palestinian passenger on board planning to “do bad things,” the state news agency BTA reported. The aircraft,..

published on 8/13/25 5:37 PM