Controversial Sofia Municipal Council Head Quits

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

Andrey Ivanov, the chair of Bulgarian capital Sofia's Municipal Council, resigned early on Wednesday amid reports that his ruling centrist-right GERB party

Ivanov explained that he was sick and tired of the allegations that have surrounded him over the past four years, the bTV private channel has informed.

GERB Municipal Council member Elen Gerdzhikov is expected to take over Andrey Ivanov's position. Ivanov will remain the head of the party's Sofia division

Over one year ago, Ivanov was accused of illegally acquiring a number of properties worth a total of BGN 10 M, having excessive amounts of real estate and dealing with murky figures. He firmly denies all allegations.

Ivanov, who is believed to have been involved in major corruption schemes, is closely linked with the country's Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov.

On November 8, Ivanov 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.

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