Over 60% of Bulgarians Support Bokova’s Candidacy for UN Secretary-General

Nearly two thirds of Bulgarian citizens back Irina Bokova, the candidate from Bulgaria and the director-general of UNESCO children's fund, to be appointed as the UN secretary-general, a new poll carried out by the Gallup International Bulgaria revealed Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the poll, 64 percent of respondents support the candidacy of Bokova, 23 percent are against and 13 percent have not decided so far.

The poll was conducted after media reported that Bulgaria could turn down the candidacy of Bokova in favor of European Commission Vice President Kristalina Georgieva.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced on September 13 that Bokova remained the only candidate from Bulgaria until September 26, when the next round of voting in the UN Security Council takes place.

The survey was carried out on September 19-20 and included 730 respondents older than 18.

The second term of incumbent UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expires on December 31, 2016. The process of election of a new UN secretary-general includes a series of anonymous votes that have started in the Security Council in July.

Bokova joined the race on July 21, being the only woman in the shortlist of leaders. She was twice elected as the director-general of UNESCO and served as deputy minister of foreign affairs and minister of foreign affairs under Prime Minister Zhan Videnov.