site.btaSofia Mayor: I Don’t Expect Praise from the Government, I Expect Partnership

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said in a Facebook post: "I don’t expect the government to give a good assessment of my work. I expect partnership." Terziev responded to remarks made earlier on Thursday by Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov, who said that the capital is facing a "management crisis".

Sofia's Mayor said he hoped this would not be yet another government that needs to be reminded that the city should not be isolated because of "political ambitions regarding the capital". In his view, political differences with the mayor should not translate into an attitude toward the city as a whole.

"Sofia is not the mayor. Sofia is not its problems. Sofia is its people," Terziev said.

He noted that nearly two million people live and work in the capital, which generates almost half of the country’s economy.

He added that investment in Sofia is not a privilege for the capital or a gift to the mayor, but an investment in Bulgaria’s development. In this regard, he listed several issues on which there has still been no progress after the first 100 days of the current government: the construction of the National Children’s Hospital, the decision on the Sofia Ring Road, funding for the capital’s major infrastructure projects, the stability of public transport, and possibilities for the development of the Vitosha Mountain.

"This is what I expect to talk about with government representatives," Terziev said. According to him, when the state denies Sofia opportunities, investment or support because of a political battle with its mayor, "the bill is not paid by the mayor. It is paid by the people of Sofia." He added that when Sofia loses opportunities for development, Bulgaria loses as well.

Terziev also commented on the decision to select Burgas as the host city for the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. According to him, the Deputy Prime Minister’s remarks raise the question of whether the "management crisis" in Sofia had anything to do with the choice of host city, and what criteria were used to assess the capital’s bid.

The Mayor called on Bulgarian National Television (BNT) to publish the bids and scores for Sofia and Burgas. In his view, this would put an end to speculation and reveal the facts behind the decision.

Terziev said Sofia supports Burgas as the host of the contest and added that the capital would also celebrate Eurovision in May 2027. He said Sofia would make use of the best elements of its bid and turn them into music, events and experiences for residents and visitors.

"Sofia will not stand on the sidelines. Not for Eurovision, and not in Bulgaria," Terziev said.

Earlier Thursday, Sofia Municipality sent an official letter to BNT Director General Milena Milotinova requesting detailed feedback on the assessment of Sofia’s bid to host the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest.