Sofia Deputy Mayor Resigns over Property Tax Scandal

The Deputy Mayor of the Sofia, Mincho Gerdzhikov, who is resigning over feeling responsible for a property tax scandal in the capital. Photo by BGNES

The Deputy Mayor of the Sofia City Hall, Mincho Gerdzhikov, has submitted his resignation Sunday over outrage stirred by the recent increase of property taxes.

Taxes for many of Sofia's residents went up without warning after the capital's zoning was altered.

Gerdzhikov has written in his resignation that he was quitting on the grounds of feeling personally responsible for the scandal.

Mayor Yordanka Fandakova stated the zoning must be changed, but in a way people do not get the impression it is done "in the dark." Fandakova announced she will file a report with the Municipal Council to stop the current zoning changes.

The Mayor explained she had received full support from her party – the ruling, center-right Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) and after the decision to reverse the zoning changes is passed Thursday, residents will receive new notifications by Sunday.

According to the Mayor, the tax overcharges can be refunded by the local tax office or deducted from future payments.

Fandakova says she will decide on accepting Gerdzhikov's resignation by mid-week, after the conclusion of the probe in the case she has requested.

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