Sofia's New Mayor: Awful Lot of Work Ahead, Will Combat Corruption, Patronage, Involve People, Businesses in Decision Making

UPDATED Sofia's New Mayor: Awful Lot of Work Ahead, Will Combat Corruption, Patronage, Involve People, Businesses in Decision Making

Vassil Terziev (right) and Kiril Petkov at the first news conference after the Nov. 5, 2023, runoffs (BTA Photo)

Sofia,

06.11.2023 15:24 | UPDATED 06.11.2023 15:50

(BTA)

Sofia's newly elected mayor, Vassil Terziev, Monday vowed to put public interest topmost, combat corruption and include people and businesses in decision making. He was speaking to the press at the first news conference of the coalition of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) and Save Sofia, which nominated him for the top position in the Sofia government.

He said: "We are aware that we have an awful lot of work ahead of us. It will not be easy. We will fight hard against corruption, abuse and patronage. I will be - with my team - the mayor for all people of Sofia and I will work for the interests of all - those who supported me and those who did not."

He said that Sofia will become a city of people who dream big. "We understand that each of us has big expectations. And we will be motivated and work responsibly to meet these high expectations. You will see how we run the city: without second-hand people and second-hand boroughs. We don't believe in the concept of 'little people'. We believe that Sofia will be a city of people who dream big and the city will help them realize their dreams. We know it will not be easy," Terziev said.

He reported fulfilling three promises he made at the start of the campaign: to win the mayor's office, to have a strong performance in the elections for borough mayors and to ensure solid representation in the Municipal Council.

The big goal ahead: have more people voting four years from now

Asked to comment the close race against Vanya Grigorova - less than 2% between the two, and the low turnout, he said that it is a question for the political class "which has for decades been trying to put off people from voting because even when they vote, they get more of the same". "We have four years to prove that this can change, that everybody's vote determines what happens with our city and country. That is the big task ahead of us - and ahead of all others who are not here but are part of the political elite".

No coalition with GERB

Terziev said that "there will be no coalition with GERB on the level of Sofia", just like there was none during the campaign.

"We did not have a deal with GERB. We have spoken about their governance model and about what they did wrong in this city. We have said what we want to change. [...] We will set out our priorities for all to see. I believe there is a lot of overlapping in the platforms of the candidates. Where we agree, everyone of the other parties will back us: that is protecting the public interest. If they keep their promises and stand behind their platforms, there is no reason why we shouldn't get support.

Terziev will announce his deputies next week. As for who will chair the Municipal Council, he said that it has long been clear that it would be Boris Bonev of Save Sofia.

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