For the first time in its history, Sofia will be governed by a woman after GERB contestant Yordanka Fandakova scored an overwhelming victory at Sunday`s mayor by-election, scooping up 68.3% of the votes, according to pollster Alpha Research.

Voter turnout was a record-thin 23.17%, official figures show.

Fandakova, who was backed by the right-wing Blue Coalition and Ataka, a strongly nationalistic party, will be at the helm of Bulgaria`s capital until the regularly scheduled elections in 2011...