site.btaSofia Municipality Warns that Major Delays in State Funding Threaten Key Infrastructure Projects

Sofia Municipality has raised the alarm over significant delays in the transfer of state funds under the programme for financing for municipalities, warning that this threatens payments and the implementation of key infrastructure projects in the capital.

According to data presented in a Sofia Municipality press release on Wednesday, 156 projects have been approved under the State Budget Act, but only BGN 98,554 has been received in 2025, along with just 10 agreements for projects in the districts of Pancharevo, Bankya, Mladost, and Ilinden.

Among the affected projects are the renovation of Alexander Stamboliyski Boulevard, the Bakarena Fabrika bridge—which was reopened to traffic a month ago—and Opalchenska Street. As of now, not a single lev has been transferred for these in 2025.

By comparison, other municipalities across Bulgaria have already received hundreds of millions under the same programme. Reports from the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW) as of August 31 show that BGN 435 million has been paid for 720 projects across 214 municipalities.

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev commented on the situation: “As mayor, I cannot allow political games and funding delays to hinder the city’s development. Every street, every bridge, every kindergarten is part of the daily life of Sofia’s residents, and I will insist that the funds rightfully due to our citizens are paid in full.”

Deputy Mayor for Public Construction Nikola Lyutov added: “Sofia is not a stage for sabotage. The lack of payments from the MRDPW for state-funded projects hinders progress on major construction sites, jeopardizes the quality of work, and affects our ability to treat businesses and workers fairly.”

The Municipality will continue to demand the swift and unconditional disbursement of the funds it is entitled to.