Anton Hekimyan

The ongoing gridlock at the Sofia Municipal Council persists, with no successful election of a chairperson after two rounds of voting in its fifth try on Monday.

Boyko Borissov, the leader of GERB, has taken direct charge of the Sofia branch of his party, marking a significant shift in the local leadership. The party revealed this move via social media, disclosing that a substantial 80% of the Sofia chapter's leadership underwent a change.

The coalition of "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) and "Spasi Sofia" decided not to propose a candidate for the chairmanship of the Metropolitan Municipal Council in today's session. Boris Bonev, their initial nominee who was unsuccessful twice, confirmed the coalition's collective choice to abstain from the contest.

Vanya Grigorova, who lost the runoff in the local elections in Sofia, blamed the results on the leaders of GERB Boyko Borissov and "Vazrazhdane" Kostadin Kostadinov. According to her, it was they who helped the candidate of "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" ("Spasi Sofia") Vasil Terziev to win the second round of the vote.

Data from the "Alpha Research" agency reveals the voting patterns of Anton Hekimyan's first-round supporters in the Sofia mayoral election runoff. The majority have shifted their support to Vanya Grigorova, the left-wing candidate.

In a surprising turn of events, Anton Hekimyan, GERB's mayoral candidate for Sofia, suggests his support for Vasil Terziev from "United for Sofia" in the upcoming runoff election. Hekimyan, who secured third place in the first round, expressed his intention to cast a reasoned vote despite the absence of a right-wing candidate in the race.

The Central Electoral Commission published the results with 100% of the protocols of the sectional electoral commissions have been processed throughout the country in the municipal electoral commissions in 27 regional cities.

The candidate of "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" and "Spasi Sofia" Vasil Terziev will face Vanya Grigorova, supported by the Bulgarian Socialist Party and "Levitsata" - in the most likely runoff in the Sofia elections.

Vasil Terziev and Vanya Grigorova are going to the runoff in Sofia next Sunday. This is indicated by the first exit poll data of "Gallup International" and "Alpha Research" at 7 p.m.

Here are the data for major cities

SOFIA Gallup

Vasil Terziev (PP-DB-SS) - 38.8%

Vanya Grigorova (BSP) - 19.1%

Anton Hekimyan (GERB-SDS) - 17.0%

The GERB-SDS coalition registered Anton Hekimyan as a candidate for Mayor of Sofia in the Municipal Election Commission.

Hekimyan was until recently the director of "News and Current Affairs" on bTV. On Saturday, he surprisingly left his position. In bTV he went through the entire ladder - intern, reporter, editor, TV presenter.