2023 Sofia mayoral elections
29 October and 5 November
 
Candidate Vassil Terziev Vanya Grigorova Anton Hekimyan
Party PP–DB—SS BSP for Bulgaria GERB—SDS
First round 119,121
31.80%		 80,875
21.59%		 66,792
17.83%
Second round 175,044
48.20%		 170,258
46.89%		 Eliminated
 
Candidate Deyan Nikolov Vili Lilkov Ivaylo Vulchev
Party Revival Conservative Union of the Right ITN
First round 29,052
7.76%		 21,326
5.69%		 11,861
3.17%
Second round Eliminated Eliminated Eliminated
Mayor before election

Yordanka Fandakova
GERB

 Elected Mayor

Vassil Terziev
PP-DB—Spasi Sofia

The 2023 Sofia mayoral election was held on 29 October 2023, during the 2023 Bulgarian local elections.

Background

For the past 14 years (since 2009), the mayor of Sofia has been Yordanka Fandakova, from the party GERB.[1]

Fandakova served four terms, including three full terms, as mayor of Sofia, becoming the first woman to serve in the position and the longest serving mayor of Sofia.[2][3]

During Fandakova's time in office, the public transportation system has been expanded, in particular with a number of projects aimed at expanding the Sofia metro.[4][5] Additionally, Fandakova has taken credit for initiating the project "Green Sofia", which is supposed to support initiatives meant to make Sofia more environmentally friendly.[6][7]

However, Fandakova's tenure as mayor has also come under scrutiny.[8] Fandakova has been accused of allowing corruption in new construction projects.[9][10] Specifically, critics of Fandakova have identified the construction of the new metro lines as a source of corruption, often leading to inefficient results.[11]

Calls for Fandakova to resign increased in the period between 2018 and 2019, with her vice-mayor, Evgeni Krusev, resigning his position due to mismanagement of repairs in the "Grafa" district.[12] However, Fandakova herself refused to resign, and sought a third term as Mayor in the 2019 Sofia Mayoral Elections.[13] Fandakova faced a challenge in the 2019 elections, from BSP-supported independent, Maya Manolova, VMRO candidate Dzhambanski and leader of the civic organisation Spasi Sofia, Boris Bonev, as well as other candidates.[14][15] According to some polls, Maya Manolova was even in the lead, ahead of the incumbent.[16] Fandakova ended up narrowly defeating Manalova in the second round,[17] although Manolova has claimed that election fraud took place, and called for a recount.[18]

Candidates

Every Bulgarian citizen older than 18 and who is registered in Sofia City is allowed to run for the position of Sofia Mayor.[19]

Announced

Candidate name, age,
political party		 Political offices Endorsing parties Campaign announcement
Vasil Terziev (45)
PP–DB		 Vasil Terziev
  • Entrepreneur, founder of the Software Company, Telerik
 27 June 2023[21]
Vili Lilkov (68)
Blue Sofia		 Vili Lilkov 16 July 2023[27]
Deyan Nikolov (34)
Revival		 Deyan Nikolov 4 July 2023[28]
Nikola Vaptsarov Jr
(39)
ISBG		 20 July 2023[29]
Vanya Grigorova (45)
Independent
  • Economist advisor the chairman of the trade union "Podkrepa"
 25 August 2023[31]
Atanas Stefanov
(54)
Independent
  • Subdeacon
  • Prosperity for Sofia (Initiative Committee)
 1 September 2023[32]
Radostin Vasilev
(39)
Independent		 Radostin Vasilev
  • Member of the Bulgarian National Assembly (2021-present)
  • Strong Bulgaria
 5th September 2023[33]
Mariya Koleva
(63)
Pravoto
  • Leader of Pravoto (2019–present)
  • Pravoto
 6 September 2023[34]
Hristo Popov
(57)
Independent
  • Anti-vaccine activist
  • Initiative Committee
 13 September 2023[35]
Karlos Kontrera
(37)
VMRO		 17th September 2023[36]
Ivaylo Valchev
(52)
ITN		 Ivaylo Vulchev
  • Member of the Bulgarian National Assembly (2022-present)
 21st September 2023[37]
Anton Hekimyan
(39)
Independent
  • Director of the BTV news and sports section (2020-2023)
 21 September 2023[38]

Decision pending

As of August 2023, the following individuals have been speculated as candidates for the position of Mayor of Sofia but are yet to make an official decision

  • Ivan Shishkov, former Caretaker Minister of Regional Development in the Donev I & Donev II. Served as deputy minister of Regional Development in the Stefan Yanev caretaker cabinets. Professionally is an architect. Has expressed interest in running for Mayor of Sofia.[39][40]
  • Georgi Georgiev, current chairman of the Sofia City Council. Has been speculated to be the favourite for nomination from GERB.[41]
  • Nikolai Gabrovski, neurosurgeon and PM candidate for GERB in 2022. Has been speculated as a potential nomination for GERB.[42]
  • Anton Hekimyan, journalist in BTV. Has been speculated as a potential nomination for GERB.[43]

Withdrawn

Declined

Campaign

Vasil Terziev campaign

Vasil Terziev was announced as the joint candidate of PPDB, Spasi Sofia and Team for Sofia on the 27 June 2023.

Vanya Grigorova campaign

Anton Hekimyan campaign

Deyan Nikolov campaign

Vili Lilkov campaign

Ivaylo Vulchev campaign

Opinion polls

Fieldwork date Polling firm Terziev Hekimyan Nikolov Grigorova Lilkov Valchev Vaptsarov Komitova Kontrera Undecided Lead
21–24 Oct 2023 Alpha Research 29.8%21.1%10.2%20.2%8.3%3.4%N/A1.9%0.6% 4.5% 8.7%
16–20 Oct 2023 SovaHarris 32.9%22.9%13.1%20.8%4.0%3.2%N/A1.7%1.8 1.7% 10.0%
10–17 Oct 2023 Mediana 24.8%21.4%13.4%22.2%7.2%5.4%N/A1.80.6 3.0 2.6%
29 Sept–9 Oct 2023 ESTAT 27.8%18.7%4.7%20.6%6.4%2.4% N/A N/A N/A N/A 7.2%
21- 25 July 2023 Center for Analysis and Marketing 33.4%22.7%12%10.6%4.8% N/A 0.8% N/A N/A N/A 10.7%

Results

See also

References

  1. ↑ "йорданка фандъкова". slava.bg (in Bulgarian). 13 November 2011.
  2. ↑ "Фандъкова - най-дълго управлявалият кмет на София, празнува юбилей" (in Bulgarian). 12 April 2022.
  3. ↑ "Фандъкова влезе в история като най-дълго управлявалия кмет на София" (in Bulgarian). 10 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "Йорданка Фандъкова: 70% от градския транспорт ще е на ток" (in Bulgarian). 26 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "52 км, 3 диаметъра и 47 станции: Какво предстои за метрото в София?" (in Bulgarian). 25 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "Фандъкова представя одобрените проекти по програма "Зелена София"" (in Bulgarian). 9 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "Стартира кандидатстването по Програма "Зелена София" за 2023 г." (in Bulgarian). 9 March 2023.
  8. ↑ "13 години Фандъкова в София - нито е хубаво, нито е готово" (in Bulgarian). 23 October 2022.
  9. ↑ "Йорданка Фандъкова знаела за забавено строителство в "Младост", но не и за корупция" (in Bulgarian). 4 May 2018.
  10. ↑ "ГЕРБ в Бермудския триъгълник на корупцията". Deutsche Welle (in Bulgarian). 6 February 2023.
  11. ↑ "Оставка на Фандъкова и съд за строителите на метрото от "Трейс Груп Холд"" (in Bulgarian). 23 January 2021.
  12. ↑ "Оставка на Фандъкова и съд за строителите на метрото от "Трейс Груп Холд"" (in Bulgarian). 4 December 2018.
  13. ↑ "Йорданка Фандъкова: Няма да подавам оставка" (in Bulgarian). 4 May 2018.
  14. ↑ "Какво обещават кандидатите за кмет на София" (in Bulgarian). 4 May 2018.
  15. ↑ "София: този път има интрига" (in Bulgarian). 11 October 2019.
  16. ↑ "Незапочналата битка за София: Манолова води на Фандъкова с 5%" (in Bulgarian). August 14, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Триумф за ГЕРБ: Фандъкова победи Манолова". Deutsche Welle (in Bulgarian). November 3, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Щабът на Манолова: Ще искаме касиране на изборите" (in Bulgarian). November 4, 2019.
  19. ↑ "ЗАКОН ЗА МЕСТНИТЕ ИЗБОРИ". lex.bg (in Bulgarian). 5 August 1999. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  20. ↑ "ДСБ София: Категорично стоим зад издигната от нас кандидатура на Васил Терзиев за кмет". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 17 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  21. ↑ "Васил Терзиев е кандидатът за кмет на София на ПП-ДБ, Бонев води съветниците (Видео)". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 27 June 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  22. ↑ "Нова дясна коалиция "Синя София" издигна Вили Лилков за кмет, за да се бори срещу левите - БСП и Васил Терзиев (Обзор)". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 1 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  23. ↑ "БЗНС в София: Проф. Вили Лилков е нашият кандидат за кмет, не можем да допуснем реставрация на комунистическата власт". Factor.bg (in Bulgarian). 25 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  24. ↑ "Софийското БЗНС отрича да подкрепя Вили Лилков в кметската надпревара". News.bg (in Bulgarian). 27 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  25. ↑ "НДСВ подкрепя Вили Лилков за кмет на София Копирано от standartnews.com". standardnews.com (in Bulgarian). 18 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  26. ↑ "Проф. Вили Лилков прие да е кандидат за кмет на София". frognews.bg (in Bulgarian). 16 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  27. ↑ "Вили Лилков влиза в битката за кмет на София)". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 16 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  28. ↑ "Деян Николов е кандидатът на "Възраждане" за кмет на София (Видео)". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 4 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  29. ↑ "Никола Вапцаров е кандидатът за кмет на "Изправи се България"". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 20 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  30. ↑ "БСП в София издигна официално Ваня Григорова(Видео)". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 2 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-02.
  31. ↑ "Ваня Григорова официално прие да е кандидат за кмет на София от обединената левица (Видео)". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 25 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  32. ↑ "Иподякон влиза в битката за кмет на София". faktor.bg (in Bulgarian). 1 September 2023.
  33. ↑ "Радостин Василев ще се кандидатира за кмет на София". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 20 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  34. ↑ "ТВ ЕВРОКОМ в предаването "Политика и спорт" гост адв. Мария Колева председател на партия "ПРАВОТО" Експертизата за София". pravoto.bg (in Bulgarian). 6 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  35. ↑ "Xристо Попов обяви в ефира на Евроком, че се кандидатира за кмет на София като независим". eurocom.bg (in Bulgarian). 13 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  36. ↑ "Карлос Контрера: В София трябва да има пари и за "неелитните" училища, поне едно ДКЦ в квартал и градска педиатрия". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 17 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  37. ↑ "Ивайло Вълчев е кандидатът на ИТН за кмет на София". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 21 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  38. ↑ "Антон Хекимян е кандидатът на ГЕРБ-СДС за кмет на София (Видео)". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 25 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  39. ↑ "Иван Шишков: Ще се кандидатирам за кмет на София, президентът Радев ще ме подкрепи". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 22 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  40. ↑ "Бившият регионален министър Иван Шишков мисли как да се кандидатира за кмет на София". mediapool.bg (in Bulgarian). 22 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  41. ↑ "Кой е Гeоpги Гeоpгиев, който май ще е кaндидатът на ГЕРБ за Кмет на София". 168chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 3 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  42. ↑ "Георги Георгиев, Росен Желязков, Николай Габровски: Кой ще бъде кандидатът на ГЕРБ-СДС за кмет на София?". btv.bg (in Bulgarian). 12 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  43. ↑ "Антон Хекимян напуска бТВ. Ще става кмет или ще оглави нов голям медиен проект?". 24chasa.bg (in Bulgarian). 23 September 2023.
  44. ↑ "Фандъкова официално обяви, че няма да се кандидатира за кмет на София". mediapool.bg (in Bulgarian). 6 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
  45. ↑ "Интервю Борис Бонев: С Васил Терзиев като кмет и аз като председател на СОС ще сме изключителен тандемя". capital.bg (in Bulgarian). 2 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  46. ↑ "Лена Бориславова обясни защо не е най-добрият кандидат за кмет на София". capital.bg (in Bulgarian). 13 April 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  47. ↑ "Росен Желязков: Няма да съм кандидат за кмет на София". btv.bg (in Bulgarian). 15 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
Notes
  1. ↑ Technically a civic organisation, rather then a political party, however has endorsed Vasil Terziev.
  2. ↑ While the BZNS regional branch has declared its support for Vili Lilkov, and has been included in the coalition "Blue Sofia", the national branch of the BZNS has not supported this and has said that an official decision as to the endorsement of the BZNS will come in September.[24]
  3. ↑ Officially endorsed by the chairman of Levitsata! (Kostadin Paskalev), but it is not yet certain if all constituent parties shall support her nomination.
  4. ↑ ISBG technically endorsed Nikola Vaptsarov for mayor in July and have not withdrawn his candidacy, however, they are a constituent memember of Levitsata!, who signed in support of Grigorova's candidacy
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