site.btaUPDATED Sofia Mayor Terziev: Ultimate Goal Is to Discuss Policies, Priorities

The ultimate goal is to talk about policies and priorities, Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev told reporters here on Saturday after talks with representatives of the BSP (Bulgarian Socialist Party) for Bulgaria, who stated that they will not support Boris Bonev of Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (Save Sofia) for chair of the Sofia Municipal Council.

Terziev reported that the talks with the socialists were very constructive and expressed hope that the remaining invited parties will also show up for a discussion, in order to have a good foundation laid on how to run the city effectively.

Terziev was optimistic that the Municipal Council will find a way to start working within the upcoming weeks. He said: "It is important for us to constantly look for what brings us together, the common things, the common policies that should form the budget. Only after we agree on them, we will find a structural solution for the chair of the Municipal Council, committees and the rest that is coming".

BSP Deputy Floor Leader Georgi Svilenski told reporters that his party's nominee for Sofia Municipal Council chair will be Diana Tonova on Monday. "If they want the municipal council to work, this is part of resolving the problem. If they elect Diana Tonova as chairperson on Monday, the municipal council will start working on Tuesday," Svilenski said.

Bonev told reporters: "I have been saying since the very beginning that we will not coalesce with GERB, and we will not form a joint government with GERB". He said that at Saturday's meeting did not bring up the chairmanship of the Council and reiterated that the main objective was to establish the common goals, policies and specific projects to be included in Sofia's budget.

Asked about the goals shared with the BSP, Terziev listed kindergartens, clean air, tackling overbuilding and implementing a healthcare reform.