site.btaVarna Acting Mayor Mandate Extended to October 30

The mandate of Pavel Popov, the acting mayor of the Black Sea city of Varna, has been extended to October 30, said the City Hall press office Monday. The order that appointed him initially expired on August 31.

Popov took the helm of the Varna City Hall when Mayor Blagomir Kotsev was arrested on July 8 as part of a corruption investigation prompted by a complaint from a failed public procurement tenderer. Kotsev has denied any wrongdoing and insists that the charges against him have been fabricated. He remains in custody to date.

His arrest triggered large-scale protests in Varna, Sofia and other major cities. 

The opposition in the Municipal Council contested Popov's appointment in court but failed. 

The Varna City Hall said in its Monday press release that Blagomir Kotsev has not been stripped of his powers and therefore can take a leave and appoint an acting mayor as provided for by Article 39, Para 2 of the Local Self-Government and Local Administration Act.