We congratulate the Mayor of Sofia Vasil Terziev for his determination to stop corruption and vicious practices in the management of the Sofia Municipality. The revelations about the activities of the garbage plant from last week are yet another proof that corruption is dangerous to the life and health of all of us, as well as that the economic majority in the SOS will do everything possible to preserve the old schemes and abuses.
"Continuing the Change" expresses its support for the Mayor of Sofia Municipality Vasil Terziev and his efforts to introduce transparent and meritocratic procedures in the selection of key personnel in the municipal administration and the chief architect.
However, after analyzing the current competition procedure for the selection of the chief architect of the capital and the presentation of the finalists, we believe that in order to achieve the goal of Sofia having an honest and responsible chief architect who will take care of the interests of citizens first, there are serious grounds for terminating the current competition without selecting a chief architect of Sofia. In our opinion, it is necessary to hold a new competition, in which additional guarantees for professional integrity and management experience of the candidates should be introduced.
This is stated in the official position of the party, sent to the media. Here is more from the opinion of "Promyanata":
In connection with the candidacy of arch. Bogdana Panayotova, we express the following considerations for the need to organize a new competition:
1. Participation in projects with a high corruption risk:
• As manager of "EN AR CONSULT" EOOD, arch. Bogdana Panayotova performed construction supervision of dams from the scheme, in which 500 million leva of public funds were utilized, but only 10 small dams were completed without the necessary documentation and violation of the ZTA.
• "EN AR CONSULT" EOOD performed supervision of the Rebarkovo-Lyutidol-Botevgrad road, built by a company of a defendant in the "Hemusgate" case.
2. Economic dependence on public procurement:
• The company works almost exclusively on public procurement (over 25 for 2015-2023)
• This dependence creates a risk of conflict of interest in future urban planning decisions.
3. Questionable procedures:
• As interim chief architect in 2024, arch. Bogdana Panayotova initiated controversial projects, including on the territory of the "Blue Lion", the former "Electronics" factory and the "Balkanton" building, against the backdrop of inexplicable delays in other indisputable files and projects.
As a pro-European anti-corruption party, "Continue the Change" categorically cannot support the appointment of a candidate whose professional biography and actions raise serious doubts about the integrity and independence in decision-making.
The position of Chief Architect of Sofia Municipality is of utmost importance for the development of the city and the quality of life of its residents. It requires a candidate with undoubted professional qualities, significant management experience and impeccable reputation.
We call on:
1. The Mayor of Sofia Municipality to review the results of the competition in light of the presented facts and to consider terminating the current procedure.
2. A new competition should be organized with improved criteria, including:
• Minimum 5 years of management experience in a leadership position
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience as an architect
• In-depth conflict of interest screening
• Anti-corruption indicators and reputation screening
• Fully transparent evaluation procedure