site.btaMRF - New Beginning, Sofia Mayor Trade Barbs over Intended Transfer of State Assets to Sofia Municipality

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev and MRF - New Beginning led by Delyan Peevski Thursday traded barbs over the Mayor's idea to have state-owned properties in Sofia transferred to the local authorities. The bone of contention are dozens of state-owned properties that are currently lying unused, and which the City Hall is eyeing to meet its needs, including emblematic city buildings, land for new kindergartens and schools, a park, and a site for waste management needs. Proposals by the Mayor, in a total of six reports, are expected to be considered at Thursday’s session of the Sofia Municipal Council.

MRF – New Beginning said in a statement it will submit a proposal for a moratorium on the transfer of state-owned properties by the caretaker government. According to the party, the move is intended to prevent attempts "to plunder valuable state resources and to protect the interests of the people". In a statement, the formation led by Peevski claimed that "Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev and municipal councilors from Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria – Save Sofia coalition have prepared a scheme to acquire state properties in the capital".

Responding to the criticism, Terziev said in a Facebook post that the City Hall's goal is to secure sites needed for public services and urban development. "Why shouldn't the Sofia Municipality request properties for kindergartens, parks, and culture? That is what we want for Sofia, instead of abandoned and crumbling buildings," the mayor said. Referring to Peevski, the Mayor added that it is normal for Peevski, who has spent his life involved in schemes "to see schemes everywhere because he knows nothing else".