Bulgaria replaces candidate for the United Nations' top job

FILE - In this Wednesday, May 27, 2016 file photo, European Commissioner for Budget Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a media conference on the EU 2016 budget at EU headquarters in Brussels. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov announced Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016 that the government is nominating its European commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, as candidate to be United Nations Secretary-General, replacing its previous candidate, UNESCO chief Irina Bokova. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Tuesday, April 12, 2016 file photo, U.N. Secretary General candidate Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, reads from the Charter of the United Nations in the United Nations Trusteeship Council Chamber. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov announced Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016 that the government is nominating its European commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, as candidate to be United Nations Secretary-General, replacing its previous candidate, UNESCO chief Irina Bokova. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) (The Associated Press)

SOFIA, Bulgaria – Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov has announced that the government is nominating its European commissioner, Kristalina Georgieva, as candidate to be United Nations Secretary-General.

The decision Wednesday came two days after the Bulgarian UNESCO chief, Irina Bokova, was in sixth place in the Security Council's latest informal poll.

Earlier this month Borisov had said that his government would continue backing Bokova's candidacy only if on Sept. 26 she was among the top two candidates.

"We made huge efforts, not only the government, but also the president, the foreign ministry and Irina Bokova herself, but you see the result," Borisov said at the government meeting.

In order to be replaced, however, Bokova would need to file a letter announcing her withdrawal. She has said she sees no reason to do that.