Bulgaria Ruling Party to Decide Fate of Sofia Head

GERB Sofia division head Andrey Ivanov at a sitting of the Sofia Municipal Council, which he chairs. Photo by BGNES

The executive committee of Bulgarian ruling center-right GERB party has assembled Tuesday evening at the residence of PM and party leader Boyko Borisov for a closed sitting.

Bulgarian media report that among the main issues to be discussed is whether GERB Sofia division head and Sofia Municipal Council chair Andrey Ivanov is to be fired.

The possibility for a dismissal of Ivanov was first leaked by Bulgarian daily newspaper Trud Saturday after an e-mail Ivanov allegedly sent to the paper.

"We will discuss everything Tuesday. I have always said that I will assume responsibility and will resign if my leadership is deemed as hurdle for the work of the Council. I think we did a great job during the previous term, especially the GERB group, and Sofia residents voted for us for this reason. But I realize that as Chair I became the focus of many attacks and accumulated negatives," the e-mail reads.

Over one year ago, Ivanov was accused of illegally acquiring a number of properties, having excessive amounts of real estate and dealing with murky figures. He firmly denies all allegations.

On November 8, he was reelected Chair of the Sofia Municipal Council in a secret vote and won against the other top contender for the post - municipal councilor from the opposition, left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party and candidate for mayor of Sofia, Georgi Kadiev.

From 60 total, Ivanov got 34 votes while Kadiev got 17.

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