Bulgarian Govt to Squander BGN 60,000 on Metro Opening Party

Bulgarian PM Borisov (right) with Sofia Mayor Fandakova (middle) checking out the construction of the second line of the Sofia Metro on August 13, 2012. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Cabinet has announced a public procurement tender for a party planner for the opening of the second line of the Sofia Metro.

The tender is for BGN 60,000, and was initiated on August 14 somewhat surreptitiously, the Sega daily announced Tuesday.

The funding comes from EU Operational Program Transport; the tender asks for the lowest possible price, with the candidates being eligible only if they have organized three "EU funded project events in the past three years."

The winning bidder is expected to organize a one-hour concert with popular Bulgarian performers, to provide a stage, balloons, and to make a HD video of the event, as well as to take photos that will be used to organize two exhibits by the Sofia Metropolitan company.

The second line of the Sofia subway is to be opened at the end of August 2012, with EC President Jose Manuel Barroso as a special guest.

It will run from the Obelya and Nadezhda Quarters in the northwest of Sofia to the Lozenets Quarter in the downtown.

The first line of the Sofia Metro runs from the Obelya and Lyulin Quarters to the Mladost Quarter.

The Sofia Metro construction has been the "pride" of Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, who is often criticized for showing off at ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

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