Legendary Bulgarian Wrestler Enters Political Arena

Zlateva, 29, has announced she is to run on the ticket of the ruling center-right GERB party in the upcoming elections.

"Yes, I accepted GERB invitation, we have not talked about details," she told Standard daily. She will be running in the town of Sliven, since she was born in a nearby village of Krushare.

Photo by: Bulgarianews.eu

The centrist Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, GERB, enjoys a marginal lead against the left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, according to a recent poll, ahead of elections due in May.

The cabinet of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria party, GERB, resigned on February 20.

They quit following unprecedented street protests against high utility bills, monopolies, poverty, economic stagnation, corruption, and the political model of ruling the country. A caretaker government was named on March 12.

Experts say that the closeness of the two parties in the opinion polls shows that GERB did not lose as much political support as a result of the recent political turbulence as many earlier expected.

Early elections are scheduled for May 12.