Some Bulgarian cities to restrict sale of alcohol on October 5 election day
There will be varying restrictions on the sale of alcohol on and around Bulgaria’s election day on October 5 in some cities and towns.
Bulgarian law leaves it up to mayors to decide on restrictions on alcohol sales during elections, including allowing them not to impose any.
In Sofia, the restriction on the sale of alcohol while polls are open will apply only to areas close to polling stations.
In Plovdiv, a ban on the sale of alcohol, applicable to all restaurants and shops, will be in force on October 5 from 6am to 8pm. The ban does not apply to pre-booked family celebrations.
In Varna, the ban is to apply on election day until 8pm.
There will no restrictions in Bourgas, Kyustendil, Rousse and Blagoevgrad.
In sharp contrast is the town of Doupnitsa, where the mayor has banned the sale of alcohol from the evening of October 4 to the morning of October 6.
In the town of Shoumen, the ban will be in effect from 8pm on October 4 to 8am on October 6.
In Stara Zagora, there will be a ban on the sale, serving and consumption of alcohol in retail outlets, catering and other public places in the municipality from 6am to 8pm on October 5, with exceptions for weddings, baptisms, funerals and wholesale alcohol transactions.
In the town of Sliven, a ban on selling and serving alcohol at retail outlets and other public places is to be in force from 6am to 8pm on October 5.
In Smolyan, the ban is on the sale, serving and consumption of alcohol at retail outlets, catering and other public places from 6am on October 5 to noon on October 6.
In Razgrad, the ban applies from midnight on October 4 to midnight on October 5.
(Photo: Zsuzsanna Kilian/sxc.hu)
