site.btaUPDATED Vanya Grigorova Confirmed as Socialist Mayoral Candidate in Sofia

The Sofia chapter of the Bulgarian Socialist Party has officially nominated Vanya Grigorova as mayoral candidate in Sofia, chairman Ivan Takov told a news briefing after a convention of the chapter.

“I want to thank her for accepting our nomination. This was a long process,” he said. 

The Sofia chapter voted Vanya Grigorova on his proposal as the top candidate for the list of municipal councillors too, he said, adding that he will be second.

"Our first coalition partner will be p;aced sixth on the list, and a candidate from the civil quota is placed tenth and 13th," he said.

Grigorova thanked for the support for her nomination. “I expect support from the remaining coalition partners, as our goal is a consolidation of the left powers, who are committed socially, so that we can defeat our opponents, whose only aim is to continue the plunder of Sofia, which has been going on for 33 year,” she said.

The chapter was also expected to affirm the formula for contesting the local elections,

A week ago Grigorova said that she has accepted to be nominated for mayor of Sofia by BSP-Sofia and the Left! coalition

Earlier, Takov said that the vote on October 29 will not only be key to local government in the next four years and will also be key to the future of the country. „Our main task is not allow the ruling coalition to reproduce itself in Sofia,” he said. „The non-coalition has three candidates  Terziev, Lilkov and someone from GERB. These are three right privatizers “, said Takov. According to him, they are pretending to be opponents, but this is just a show. 

“Sofia is extremely important to us in order to give a perspective and future to everyone in our city,” said Takov. “For us the city is not a market and public resources are not goods from which to benefit clos associates of the incumbent,: said Takov. 

Vanya Grigorova as a prominent trade unionist can make it possible to reach various social groups, said Takov. Her inclusion on list of municipal coucilors would win votes which otherwise we won’t receive, he added. “The broad coalition will allow us to consolidate the left vote in Sofia,” said Takov.

Some consolidation of the left is bound to happen at some time and the BSP should not miss the initiative, said Takov.."Currently polling data show that in a coalition format we have a real chance for a good result. This would mean a political awakening for the BSP and just in Sofia ",said Takov  

Attending the forum was BSP leader Kornelia Ninova, who was elected to the leadership of the Sofia chapter.

Milka Hristova presented the report of the socialist municipal councilors for the 2019-2023 mandate. She said that they did not make a single reproachful moral or legal compromise, abandon the interests of the city, or implemented lobbyist interests.