site.btaGERB and UDF to Take Part in Most Municipalities' Local Elections as Coalition

GERB and the Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) will take part in the local elections as a coalition in most municipalities, UDF leader Rumen Hristov told journalists on Tuesday.

The UDF registered with the Central Election Commission (CEC) independently, as its leader explained that this was based on a decision of the national conference. This did not mean that they would not be in local coalitions with GERB for the October 29 elections, even though GERB would also register separately. Rumen Hristov clarified that in some places UDF structures wanted to stand independently.

GERB and UDF will run together for the Sofia local elections. Hristov specified that the UDF will nominate borough mayors, but they will probably be fewer than in the previous local elections.

“There are several options for a candidate for Sofia mayor,” Hristov further pointed out. Initially, he thought that the clash would be on ideological grounds – “a candidate of the former Bulgarian secret service State Security (SS) against a candidate against the SS,” Hristov said referring to the Save Sofia and Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria candidate's family ties to the SS. 

However, an internal poll showed that people are more concerned about pragmatic issues related to Sofia's lifestyle, traffic and air pollution. “In this sense, I think the candidate should be well acquainted with the problems of the capital, have experience and be ready to solve them,” Hristov noted.