site.btaParliament Rejects Draft Resolution to Investigate Construction, Financing of Sofia's Hayashi Hotel

Parliament rejected Vazrazhdane’s draft resolution to establish an ad-hoc committee to investigate the construction and financing of the Hayashi Hotel in Sofia and its connection to the family of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, with 79 votes in favour, 113 against and nine abstentions on Wednesday.

According to Vazrazhdane, the need to establish such committee arose from growing public doubts and media revelations about the financial activities of Zhelyazkov's family, particularly regarding the construction of the luxury Hayashi Hotel. The project was expected to be completed by the end of August 2025 and is officially valued at BGN 9 million, although various expert estimates suggest its real value is significantly higher, at up to EUR 20-30 million. Vazrazhdane also pointed out that the official declaration of the Prime Minister and his family indicated an investment of BGN 9 million, financed mainly through bank loans and personal funds.

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov commented that this committee would be a “stress test” for both the ruling party and the opposition.

GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader Denitsa Sacheva said the accusations were completely groundless and there was no evidence of any crimes, corruption or money laundering. She said that the loan, which has been mentioned many times, was taken out by the construction company that built the hotel, and that the majority owner of the company is a co-debtor. “This alone should be enough for anyone to understand that neither Rosen Zhelyazkov nor any member of his family has taken out a loan. This is why we cannot discuss these subsequent cascades of meaningless accusations,” added Sacheva.