Sofia Municipal Council

The ongoing gridlock at the Sofia Municipal Council persists, with no successful election of a chairperson after two rounds of voting in its fifth try on Monday.

"Dismantling of the Monument to the Soviet Army officially begins today", Sofia regional governor Vyara Todeva announced in front of the monument. According to her, the scaffolding around the monument is about to be completed, after which the tallest figures will be dismantled.

"Then everything will be sorted and described on the spot," she explained.

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev has highlighted the urgent need to elect a chairman for the Sofia Municipal Council by December 12, cautioning that failing to do so would result in significant financial losses. He stressed the necessity for a resolution to be reached by Monday to avoid operational disruptions in the municipality.

The need for urgent dismantling, relocation and restoration of the Monument to the Soviet Army has been established. This is clear from the conclusion of the regional administration in Sofia, which investigated the state of the monument (also mockingly called the Monument of the Occupation of the Red Army - MORA).

The Sofia Municipal Council remains ensnared in a deadlock following the third unsuccessful attempt to elect its chairperson on Thursday. Boris Bonev, the candidate of "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) and "Spasi Sofia", who previously garnered considerable support but fell short of the required votes, withdrew from the race this time.

The Sofia Municipal Council failed to elect a chairman the first time. The nominees were Boris Bonev from "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria"/"Spasi Sofia", Diana Tonova from the Bulgarian Socialist Party, Krasimir Galabov from "Vazrazhdane", Plamen Danailov from "There Is Such a People".

In a momentous ceremony, Vasil Terziev officially took the oath as the mayor of Sofia for the next four years. The swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of a new era for the city, with Terziev emphasizing his commitment to uphold the Constitution and laws of Bulgaria while working tirelessly for the well-being of Sofia's citizens.

Amidst the echoes of change, Vasil Terziev steps into the role of Sofia's mayor, succeeding Yordanka Fandakova. The inaugural session of the Sofia Municipal Council (SMC) for the term 2023-2027 marks the beginning of Terziev's tenure, bringing with it a set of challenges and opportunities that will shape the city's trajectory in the coming years.

In a press conference following his victory in the Sofia mayoral race, Vasil Terziev outlined his plans to govern with a focus on the public interest, combat corruption, and rebuild trust in the municipal government.

A march for the Independence Day of Ukraine in front of the monument of the Ukrainian poet and public figure Taras Shevchenko was held in Sofia. On the "Vazrazhdane" Square, with a minute's silence, on their knees, those present honored the memory of those who died for the independence of Ukraine.