Sofia mayoral election

The Sofia Municipal Council (SMC) convened to elect its deputy chairs and members of standing committees, marking a significant development in the city's political landscape.

In the latest setback for the Sofia Municipal Council, attempts to elect a chairman have faltered for the seventh time. The run-off vote featured Tsvetomir Petrov from the coalition "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (WCC-DB) - Spasi Sofia," securing 26 votes, while Diana Tonova, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) candidate, trailed with only 9 votes.

Once more, the election of the leader for the Sofia Municipal Council faces a postponement, creating uncertainty about the city's local governance. The decision to delay the vote until January 25 was reached during the Thursday session, with the expectation that ongoing discussions might result in a consensus on who will chair the Municipal Council.

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.

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.

The Sofia Municipal Council failed to elect a chairman the first time. The nominees were Boris Bonev from "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria"/"Spasi Sofia", Diana Tonova from the Bulgarian Socialist Party, Krasimir Galabov from "Vazrazhdane", Plamen Danailov from "There Is Such a People".

Yordanka Fandakova officially handed over power to the newly elected mayor of Sofia, Vasil Terziev.

"Welcome to the office of the Mayor of Sofia Municipality - from today it is yours. I wish you success!"

The administrative court in Sofia has concluded the legal saga surrounding the contested runoff for mayor of Sofia, ruling against Vanya Grigorova's complaint. The court's decision opens the door for Vasil Terziev to assume the position of Sofia's mayor without further delays.

Vanya Grigorova, the candidate who fell short in Sofia's local elections runoff, is making waves by contesting the results at the Administrative Court of Sofia.

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.