site.btaCentral Election Commission Proposes that President Iotova Schedule By-Election for Sofia's Sredets District Mayor

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has proposed that President Iliana Iotova schedule a by-election for mayor of Sofia's Sredets district, according to a decision published on the Commission’s website.

The proposal was made following a notification from the Municipal Election Commission (MEC) of Sofia Municipality stating that, with a decision of February 19, 2026, the mandate of Sredets District Mayor Traicho Traikov had been terminated early. The reason is a statement submitted by him requesting termination of his mandate after being elected caretaker Minister of Energy in the Council of Ministers.

The documentation sent to the CEC includes the decision of the MEC of Sofia Municipality and the minutes of the commission's meeting.

After reviewing the documents, the CEC concluded that the necessary evidence had been submitted in accordance with the provisions of the Election Code establishing the early termination of the mayor's mandate and the need to hold a by-election for mayor of Sredets district.

On this basis, the CEC proposed that the head of state schedule the by-election.

The caretaker government headed by Prime Minister Andrey Gurov took office on February 19. After the oath-taking ceremony in the National Assembly, a ceremony for the handover of power took place at the Council of Ministers.