Sofia Mayor Vasili Terziev Reveals Major Irregularities in Public Procurement Contracts

Vasili Terziev, the recently elected mayor of Sofia, Bulgaria, has announced that 21 out of 24 public procurement contracts analyzed are unlawful. This revelation comes shortly after Terziev's victory in the mayoral race on November 6, where he secured 48.17% of the vote.

Terziev, a member of the reformist pro-Western coalition 'We Continue the Change Democratic Bulgaria' (PP-DB), made the announcement as part of his commitment to transparency and anti-corruption. His election marked the end of the center-right GERB party's 18-year hold on the mayoral office.

The announcement has significant implications for Sofia's governance, highlighting the challenges Terziev faces in his efforts to reform the city's administration. The exact nature and scope of the unlawful contracts have not been specified, leaving many questions about the specifics of the violations.

Why this matters: This announcement has significant implications for the governance of Sofia and Bulgaria as a whole, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in public procurement processes. The consequences of these unlawful contracts could lead to a re-evaluation of the city's administration and potential reforms to prevent similar issues in the future.

This development is particularly noteworthy given Bulgaria's recent history of political turmoil and widespread corruption. The country has been governed mainly by caretaker governments appointed by President Rumen Radev since massive protests in 2020, driven by public anger over years of corruption.

GERB and PP-DB are both part of a coalition backing the government of Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov. Terziev's findings could strain this coalition, as it brings to light potential issues within the public procurement processes that have persisted over multiple administrations.

As Sofia's new mayor, Terziev's primary challenge will be to address these irregularities and implement measures to prevent future unlawful activities. His administration's success will likely depend on his ability to promote transparency and accountability within the city's procurement processes.

To recap, the discovery of unlawful public procurement contracts highlights the significant challenges that Vasili Terziev must overcome to fulfill his reformist agenda. The extent of these irregularities and the steps taken to address them will be critical in shaping the future of Sofia's governance.

Key Takeaways

• Vasili Terziev, Sofia's new mayor, finds 21/24 public procurement contracts unlawful.
• Terziev's election marks the end of GERB's 18-year hold on the mayoral office.
• Unlawful contracts highlight need for transparency and accountability in public procurement.
• Findings could strain coalition government and prompt reforms to prevent similar issues.
• Terziev's success depends on promoting transparency and accountability in procurement processes.