Many staff at the Haskovo multi-profile hospital (MBAL), together with patients and local people, publicly backed chief executive Dr Georgi Gelov a day before the interview to pick a new head of the hospital. They gathered outside the city's emergency care centre.

The health ministry is running the contest. The third stage is an interview to choose a state representative to lead the hospital. Two people have reached it: Dr Gelov and Prof Petar Petrov.

Dr Krasimira Kinova, head of the infectious diseases ward at the hospital, said the gathering was not a rally or a protest. "We all want to stand up here for one person who has proved himself over time as a successful manager, as a professional and as a human being," she said.

Those who gathered say the outcome is already decided in favour of Prof Petrov.

Forensic doctor Dr Hristo Elenski also spoke. He said the Haskovo hospital is in a stable state and has a future. He said it is the only large hospital in the region and handles a large share of the work, while the others on the edges only pretend to take part in market medicine.

Dr Elenski added that, according to information in the public domain, Dr Gelov's rival was put forward by a party. "If hospital heads are going to be picked this way, let's elect them like village mayors, and let each party name its candidates," he said.