The unpleasant feeling remains: Will Sofia There will be chief architect after the « friendly fire » on the competition

However, after the reaction of « We continue the change », however, the winner may not be confirmed and Sofia will continue to have a temporary chief architect. This will be understood within ten days, but whatever decision the Terziev finally makes, as it was said in an old Jewish joke – the unpleasant feeling remains. Dnevnik conversations have shown what the moods of the coalition are and what the reaction of « continue change » will be if Panayotova is appointed.

Two of the partners want a new competition

Save Sofia a month ago, he declared herself against Panayotova’s participation in the competition as she was in the organization team. She was a temporary chief architect of the municipality from the end of July to January 29, after which she was appointed interim director of Municipal Construction Control. Panayotova first denied that he would run for the position, but then turned on.

« We have been against this competition from the very beginning of this competition because we knew that Panayotova would win it and everything is a proforma, » Save Sofia leader Boris Bonev told Dnevnik on Monday (April 7).

The party of Kiril Petkov and Assen Vasilev also recalled her decisions as a temporary acting architect of Sofia, who have already been mentioned in the competition procedure – propulsion of controversial projects, such as those on the territory of the Blue Lion, the former Electronics plant and the Balkanton building.

« In specific cases, Panayotova made serious mistakes, signing the demolition of the Balkanton building, a construction in the inter -block space in the Poduyane district, agreed with a change in the purpose of the (part of the stadium) of » for a sport « to become » housing « . which from the position « Chief Architect » should be protected, « Rositsa Nikolova, a municipal councilor from » Save Sofia « and the only architect in the 61-member SOC, told Dnevnik.

Different positions in Democratic Bulgaria

Panayotova enjoys a positive assessment by some advisers of Democratic Bulgaria, but not all.

« As a hydraulic engineer, I am impressed by the vision of Arch. Panayotova to bring the importance of rivers in Sofia and their management. Bulgaria. According to her, the competition was conducted transparently and « if » we continue the change « have grounds (against Panayotova), they had to express their opinion before, » she said.

It is the right and responsibility of the mayor to organize the competition and from the beginning the conditions for its conduct were clear, it was laconic Boyko Dimitrov of Democratic Bulgaria, who is also the deputy chairman of the SOC.

However, his colleague and partner Dimitar Dimitrov is of the opposite opinion. In a Facebook publication, he questioned Panayotova’s victory. « The competition won by the man who prepared him as a temporary chief architect. The man who repeatedly stated in the council that he was only preparing the competition but would not appear to him. It leaves doubts about the race, » he said. According to him, it is a disturbance that the competition did not attract quality candidates because the belief that everything was foretold was reigned.

According to a representative of the Democratic Coalition, the reaction of their partners from « Continuing the Change » was caused because they had another favorite, but he did not indicate who declined to comment on the topic.

On Friday (April 4) it was learned that only Bogdana Panayotova had successfully passed the last stage of the competition with a score of over 4.

What’s next

Under the Local Self-Government Act, the mayor solely determines any chief architect of the municipality, the competition committee only broadcasts the best performing.

On that date, the 14-day period for the mayor must issue an act of appointment of the candidate ranked first, « his team for Dnevnik explained.

The equation in front of Terziev is complicated. Boris Bonev’s party can download his support and will become his opposition, « if he does not terminate the competition, » he said.

If Panayotova wins whose support loses Terziev

First, the mayor to propose a new structure to the municipal administration with Deputy Mayor Urbanist to take over the urban planning and only then to hold a competition for the chief architect, given his limited powers (February 3), recommends arch. Nikolova from the formation. And he proposes to include civil organizations and municipal councilors in the jury of the new competition from all parties, even only as observers.

« You need a new competition. If Terziev does not comply with this, I am not on the threats, but it will be a bad signal, » said the municipal councilor Saad Aluani of « We continue the change. »

With the new old chief architect, all construction procedures will be resolved very quickly so that investors do not wait – including the building permits and the PUPs for the demolition of old buildings. The construction industry should be pleased, predicts Dimitar Dimitrov from Democratic Bulgaria.

His partner Boyko Dimitrov is not against the winner of the competition, but sets five priorities in her future work, for which he would be evaluated: stopping the chaotic overbuilding; consistent implementation of clear rules and rule of law; digitalization and administrative reform; Pedestrian accessibility, development of bicycle infrastructure and green spaces; listening to the opinion of the areas.