Rumiana Jeleva

A security expert has told Deutsche Welle that EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva is "rumored to be a strong candidate" to take over as head of the United Nations.

In an interview with DW, Prof Mats Berdal has singled out "Georgieva and also Antonio Guterres from Portugal, who used to run the UNHCR and did a very good job there."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Wednesday Hungary "would be even glad to back" EU Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva for the post of UN Secretary General.

At a briefing with Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov in southeastern Bulgaria, not far from the Turkish border, Orbán made clear it was "up to Bulgaria" whether or not to raise her candidacy.

UNESCO chief Irina Bokova remains Bulgaria's official candidate for the next United Nations secretary-general.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced this on Tuesday.

UNESCO head Irina Bokova is Bulgaria's single UN Secretary General candidate, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has said.

However, he has added the government may only continue backing her candidacy if on September 26 she is not "among the first two candidates".

Bulgaria's government is to hold a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, a day ahead of schedule, amid speculation whether it will choose to nominate EU Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva as its official candidate for UN chief.

The election of a new UN Secretary General is "the toughest battle" Bulgaria is facing, President Rosen Plevneliev has said.

His words follow a New York meeting with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, who was nominated by the Bulgarian government as the country's official candidate to take over from Ban Ki-moon as head of the global organization next year.

Bulgaria has nominated Irina Bokova, director of UNESCO, for the post of UN Secretary-General, the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.

"With her biography and experience, Ms Bokova can be one of the important candidates in the upcoming campaign for a Secretary-General of the UN," the ministry said.

Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said on Tuesday his institution would put forth all its effort into the campaign of Irina Bokova, the UNESCO Director General, to become the next UN Secretary General.

"We will do everything to contribute to the success of [her] candidacy," he told public broadcaster BNT in an interview.

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova is now officially Bulgaria's nominee for the office of UN Secretary General, a statement by the Foreign Ministry in Sofia shows.

Bulgaria appears to have decided on its nomination for the next United Nations Secretary General, capital.bg speculated on Monday after the government released a statement that Kristalina Georgieva has signalled her intention to carry on in her present position.