site.btaSofia Mayor Bashes Draft Budget, Calls for Key Infrastructure Funding

Several key areas are missing from the draft state budget for 2026, including funding for municipal infrastructure under clear rules, resources to ensure the stability of Sofia's public transport system, a national programme for school construction, and financing for both the National Children's Hospital and the south-western arc of the Sofia ring road, said Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev in a Facebook post on Saturday.

Terziev argued that funding for municipal infrastructure projects must be secured under clear rules and with transparency. He also expressed concern over a proposal for the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works to independently decide which projects receive funding, without clearly defined criteria or deadlines. According to Terziev, the current model should be restored, in which the National Assembly approves a list of projects and allocated funding, ensuring transparency and traceability in implementation.

As a second priority, Terziev highlighted the need to guarantee the financial stability of Sofia's public transport system. He said the structural deficit amounts to EUR 25.4 million. The mayor called on the state to provide an additional EUR 13.6 million in co-financing in line with European regulations, and a further EUR 11.8 million for metro security, which is currently provided by the Ministry of Interior. He noted that the municipality continues to seek alternative sources of funding for new rolling stock for the metro (the capital's underground railway system), but warned that without covering the shortfall, the transport system remains at risk.

The third request is for the creation of a EUR 500 million national programme for the construction of new school buildings in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas. According to Terziev, one-fifth of the country's pupils study in Sofia and 46 schools in the capital still operate on a two-shift system, making investment necessary to move to single-shift schooling.

The mayor added that the state budget framework for the next three years does not include funding either for the construction of the National Children’s Hospital or for the south-western arc of the Sofia ring road, which is intended to provide access to the medical facility. According to Terziev, these are strategic projects for both the capital and the country.

In his post, Terziev said that Sofia should be treated as an equal partner rather than a political opponent. He noted that the capital generates more than 40% of Bulgaria’s gross domestic product and expressed hope that the government will revise the proposed budget so that decisions are aligned with citizens' needs and major infrastructure priorities.

On Tuesday, Sofia Municipality said it is seeking a revision of the 2026 State Budget Bill and urged the government to respond to the needs of citizens and businesses. The municipality called for funding for municipal infrastructure projects, financial support for public transport, the creation of a fund for new schools operating on a single-shift basis, and financing for the Sofia ring road and the National Children's Hospital.