Sofia City Council fails to elect chairman for more than a month

The fifth attempt by the Sofia City Council to elect a chairman has failed. The coalition We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) - Save Sofia withdrew the candidacy of Boris Bonev and nominated Greti Stefanova, who has been chairing meetings as the oldest councillor. But her nomination failed to secure the 31 votes needed in the 61-seat municipal assembly.

Representatives of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and Vazrazhdane did not take part in the vote, as they walked out in protest against the dismantling of the controversial Soviet Army monument in the capital.

Sofia mayor Vasil Terziev warned that blocking the council's work could lead to the loss of EU funding for major infrastructure projects. The next meeting of Sofia City Council is scheduled for 11.01.2024.