Burgas city council today gave the title of honorary citizen of Burgas to journalist, writer and politician Lyuben Dilov Jr, writer Kerana Angelova and artist Georgi Yanakiev, who received it after his death. A fourth candidate, literary critic and writer Dr Stoyan Georgiev, did not win enough votes.

The nominations set off a row over whether the title is given out too often and is losing its value.

Veselin Prenerov said more than 100 people from Burgas have already received it. "Handing out the title of honorary citizen by the hatful makes it meaningless," he said.

The 1,000 signatures needed for a nomination do not prove a candidate matters, Prenerov said, because they are easy to collect. He pointed to the presidential race, where he said some rather farcical candidates also gathered signatures. In his view, this undermines institutions and democracy. He wants the rules changed and an end to mass awards.

Dr Georgi Drakaliev noted that the title was first meant mostly for foreigners who helped the city grow. Prof Sevdalina Turmanova said the rules allow up to five awards a year, but that is a limit, not a duty.

Zhivko Tabakov said a committee could assess candidates and suggested the council discuss the idea. Council chair Mihail Hadzhiyanev objected that committees would add more bias. He proposed that the council discuss a higher threshold than 1,000 signatures instead.

Stanimir Baev also thinks the title has lost value and backed joint work by councillors on changing the rules.

Hadzhiyanev added: "I must make clear that honorary citizen is not the highest honour the municipality can award." He named the titles Knight of the Silver Cross of St Nicholas and Honorary Councillor, which go to people with exceptional merit. The current council has not awarded either one during its term.