Well, That’s a Surprise! Government’s Generous Donations to “Chosen” Municipalities
Imagine, if you will, a government so benevolent that it doles out over BGN 85.5 million to municipalities like a parent handing out sweets at a birthday party. But before you get too comfortable with that image, let’s dissect the fine print—because in the world of politics, the icing often hides the cake’s questionable ingredients!
Shortly after the parliamentary elections, the government of Dimitar Glavchev decided to reward 22 municipalities that favoured the new formation led by the widely sanctioned Delyan Peevski. Yes, the same Peevski is on some rather naughty lists put together by the USA and Great Britain. I mean, wouldn’t you feel safe knowing your local government is in bed with a guy the international community can’t stand?
A Peek Behind the Curtain
The details were unveiled by the coalition “We continue the change-Democratic Bulgaria” (PP-DB) and confirmed by a careful examination of government minutes that reveal financial decisions made on November 6 and 13, 2024. Transparency? I hope they packed a lunch along with that invisibility cloak!
The finance minister, Ludmila Petkova, was the mastermind behind these generous handouts. Of course, it’s all perfectly above board—if you consider a lack of clear rules and selection procedures “above board.” The funds appear to be a reward for “select” municipalities, as if doing a happy dance for Peevski was part of the election strategy. And let’s not forget the glorious *allegations* of electoral fraud and controlled voting that pepper this entire affair. I mean, nothing says “democracy” quite like a little dessert after a dodgy election!
PP-DB Raises a Few Eyebrows
Andrey Tsekov, the savvy former regional minister, is not letting this slide. He has provided several illuminating examples, which read a bit like the Hunger Games for municipal funding:
- Thunder Municipality: BGN 4,093,275 for scoring 40% of the vote for New Beginning.
- Belica Municipality: BGN 1,560,000 for a staggering 67% of votes.
- Satovcha Municipality: BGN 5,357,371 with 64% for New Beginning.
- Roe Deer Municipality: BGN 1,000,000 for an impressive 83% support!
This spending spree wasn’t for lavish parties, mind you—it’s for “necessary” repairs of roads, schools, kindergarten upgrades, and maybe a museum or two thrown in for good measure. Because who wouldn’t want to learn about local history while their streets are crumbling?
Plovdiv Gets the Golden Goose
And then there’s Plovdiv, whose mayor is from GERB, and they scored the largest share of the riches: a jaw-dropping BGN 36,103,226! Just a friendly reminder that this is after an election season where they voted in droves for Peevski’s faction. No connection there, is there? Do you smell a scandal or is it just me?
The beauty of it all? The plan for a geographic information system in Plovdiv has reportedly inflated to a staggering BGN 20 million. I mean, did they accidentally sprinkle gold dust on those plans?
Still somehow, the beautiful “Raina Knyaginya” primary school is set to be renovated yet again for BGN 4.2 million despite being recently modernized. It’s like being told that your brand-new smart fridge needs an upgrade—every. single. week.
The Not-So-Silent Solutions
PP-DB has voiced outrage, claiming this distribution method resembles a sort of ‘vote-buying’ with taxpayers’ money. They highlight how these decrees make the entire investment program for municipalities meaningless. I guess it’s true what they say: ‘If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bureaucracy.’
The real kicker? The Glavchev cabinet is silent! No comment, no tweet, no selfie. It’s like they took a page right out of the “How to Ignore a Scandal” handbook.
Here’s the Full List Underneath the Party Hats
The detailed minutes reveal a cornucopia of cash, but just for fun, let’s just say they’ve got more caveats than a backcountry guide:
- Belica – BGN 1,560,000
- Thunder – BGN 4,093,275
- Satovcha – BGN 1,357,371, now set to balloon to over BGN 5 million as we discovered.
- And of course, let’s not forget the hefty BGN 20 million slice going to the exclusive club called Plovdiv.
In conclusion, folks, while some may argue the funds are a way to uplift communities, it feels more like a magician’s trick—watch one hand while the other steals your vote! The optimism in this financial festivity might be a little misplaced, especially with half the municipalities left questioning where their dignity has been trying to go.
So buckle up! It’s going to be one wild ride as the story develops. And remember, in the wonderful world of politics, the only constant is that surprise is just around the corner—often with a side of bewilderment!
The government led by Dimitar Glavchev has controversially allocated over BGN 85.5 million to 22 municipalities shortly after the parliamentary elections. This allocation followed the overwhelming support for the newly formed party of Delyan Peevski, a politician under corruption sanctions from the USA and Great Britain.
This revelation emerged from a media announcement by the coalition “We continue the change-Democratic Bulgaria” (PP-DB) and a statement from Andrey Tsekov, a former regional minister and current candidate for the parliamentary speaker position. A thorough examination by Mediapool of the legal documents from the Council of Ministers revealed the minutes from the government meetings where these decisions were made.
The government critical decisions took place during Council of Ministers meetings held on November 6 and 13, 2024, as proposed by Ludmila Petkova, the acting Finance Minister. These key decisions are documented in minutes Nos. 46 and 47 of the respective meetings; however, the official legal framework for these allocations has yet to be disclosed.
PP-DB expressed concern over the “Tihomulcom” grant, which lacked transparent rules and selection procedures, leading to the substantial funding being directed to select municipalities where voters showed strong support for Delyan Peevski’s New Beginning, with mayors from the GERB party.
Tsekov highlighted on his Facebook that many municipalities benefiting from these allocations have been implicated in allegations of controlled voting and electoral fraud during the October 27 parliamentary elections.
PP-DB provided several striking examples of these allocations:
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municipality Thunder receives BGN 4,093,275 (3106 votes for New Beginning from a total of 7647 – 40% support).
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municipality Belica receives BGN 1,560,000 (3,473 votes for New Beginning out of 5,167 – an overwhelming 67%).
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municipality Satovcha receives BGN 5,357,371 (4,738 votes for New Beginning from a total of 7,379 – a significant 64%).
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municipality Anchorage receives BGN 2,400,000 (4323 votes for New Beginning accounting for 73% support).
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municipality Roe deer receives BGN 1,000,000 (2,374 votes for New Beginning out of a total of 2,856 – an impressive 83%).
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municipality Jebel receives BGN 911,377 (5,529 votes for New Beginning from 6,618, amounting to 84%).
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municipality Black eye receives BGN 1,402,845 (3,396 votes for New Beginning out of 4,891 – 70% support).
The allocated funds are earmarked for various community improvements, including the renovation of streets, educational institutions, and childcare facilities, alongside investments in local museums and sports facilities, predominantly in rural areas.
Notably large allocation for Plovdiv
Plovdiv, under the leadership of mayor Kostadin Dimitrov from the COAT OF ARMS, receives the largest single allocation of BGN 36,103,226.
Of particular note is the proposed BGN 20 million expenditure on a geographic information system in Plovdiv, which many observers, including Andrey Tsekov, have flagged as disproportionately high for such a project, although he didn’t elaborate further.
The innovative “Raina Knyaginya” primary school in Plovdiv is set to undergo renovations with allocated funds exceeding BGN 4.2 million. This school boasts a modernized structure and advanced technological resources such as multimedia tools, laptops, and continuous internet connectivity.
The other significant allocations for schools include BGN 5,940,000 for major repairs to “Dimitar Talev” and BGN 5,922,000 for “Yane Sandanski.”
Repeated funding for specific municipalities
Both Satovcha and Yakoruda were recurrently included in the government’s financial allocations.
On November 6, the municipality of Satovcha received funding amounting to BGN 1,357,371, which includes BGN 997,406 designated for extensive repairs to a park in Valkosel village and enhancing transportation access alongside creating a bicycle lane. The remaining funds will be used for finishing works at a facility in Vaklinovo, with details about its use yet to be specified.
Yakoruda municipality received BGN 1.5 million to construct a retaining wall aimed at fortifying Djebre Street, as well as funds to replace curbs and pavement tiles on “Tsar Boris III”.
At the subsequent Council of Ministers meeting on November 13, additional funds will again be allocated to both municipalities. The municipality of Satovcha is set to receive a further BGN 4 million, raising its overall allocation to over BGN 5.3 million. The bulk of these funds will again focus on Valkosel village, home to approximately 2,300 residents, according to national data. An allocation of BGN 1.5 million will go towards significant renovations on the water supply system associated with the “Satovcha-Slashten” group, along with BGN 1 million earmarked for more water supply upgrades in the village. The remaining sum remains unspecified.
The more modest allocation for Yakoruda will total BGN 900,000, specifically aimed at acquiring property to fully integrate it into municipal ownership for the purpose of extensive repairs to create an ethnographic exhibit and a children’s center, as well as an informational tourist hub.
In the context of local elections, Yakoruda has gained attention as Delyan Peevski campaigned actively there, aligning it with the support network surrounding him.
PP-DB condemns the allocations
“In practice, this is buying votes with taxpayers’ money,” stated PP-DB in their official communication.
The coalition asserted that these recent government decrees undermine the original intent of the municipal investment program, which was strategically designed to halt the allocation of state funds to particular “favorably positioned” municipalities.
Unlike the funding from the national municipal program, these government allocations do not require prior documentation, such as construction permits or public procurement plans. Instead, they are released as a full advance to the municipality, contrasting sharply with the phased disbursement of funds contingent upon completion of projects as previously mandated.
“This illustrates a vivid example of state capture,” Tsekov highlighted, pointing to broader systemic corruption issues.
Official silence from the Glavchev administration
Currently, there has been no official commentary from Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev regarding these substantial fund allocations. This silence is particularly notable given the reported BGN 4 billion budget deficit that emerged at the end of October.
Both the Ministry of Finance, which proposed the funding, and the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works, responsible for overseeing the state budget’s municipal investment program, have remained unresponsive to inquiries.
*Comprehensive list of awarded municipalities by Glavchev
Minutes 46 of the meeting of the MC on 6.11.2024
Approves the report on the need for financing in the total amount of BGN 46,587,568 for the municipalities, as follows:
Belica – BGN 1,560,000 for implementing energy-efficient measures in the building of the Primary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” in the village of Babyak;
Thunder – BGN 4,093,275, of which BGN 3,299,328 for reconstruction at “Yordan Yovkov” University in Ribnovo village and BGN 793,947 for expanding the “Nikola Vaptsarov” kindergarten in Debren village;
Satovcha – BGN 1,357,371, including BGN 997,406 for a major park repair and bike lane in Valkosel village;
Anchorage – BGN 1,500,000 for construction of a retaining wall and repairs on “Tsar Boris III” Street in Yakoruda.
Plovdiv – BGN 36,103,226, earmarked for significant repairs at various primary schools and to establish a Geographical Information System in Plovdiv.
Long-legged – BGN 1,973,696 for ongoing street repairs in the villages and the city of Dulgopol.
Protocol 47 of 13 November 2024
Additional allocation totaling BGN 39,003,810 for municipalities:
Satovcha – BGN 4,000,000 for major repairs and upgrades of water systems in Valkosel.
Gotse Delchev – BGN 150,000 for a water supply expansion project.
Anchorage – BGN 900,000 for acquiring property for municipal projects.
Dimovo – BGN 1,476,227 for street network reconstruction in Dimovo.
Black eye – BGN 1,402,845 for municipal road repairs.
Jebel – BGN 911,377 for structural enhancements in local parks.
Kurdzhali – BGN 9,539,173 for sports complex repairs and the construction of a youth center.
Boboshev – BGN 1,320,000 for the reconstruction of a significant municipal building.
Novel – BGN 1,300,000 for overall street network repairs.
Roe deer – BGN 1,000,000 for municipal street maintenance.
Veto – BGN 2,228,381 for road reconstruction projects.
Pavel bathhouse – BGN 2,000,000 for major street repairs in various villages.
Sunday – BGN 1,604,400 for infrastructure repairs along key streets.
Antonovo – BGN 1,827,452 for the development of community outdoor spaces.
Wicked – BGN 2,000,000 for significant water pipe reconstruction.
Stambolovo – BGN 1,250,046 for street reconstruction efforts.
Wreath – BGN 2,265,239 for street rehabilitation and a community hall construction.
Kaolin – BGN 1,028,670 for public park revitalization efforts.
Haskovo – BGN 2,800,000 for internal water supply renovations in Kozlets.
How has the political opposition reacted to the recent funding allocations?
Here’s a summary of the key points from the provided document regarding municipal funding allocations:
### Overview of Allocations
1. **Allocation Details by Municipality:**
– **Thunder**: BGN 4,093,275 (40% support for New Beginning).
– **Belica**: BGN 1,560,000 (67% support).
– **Satovcha**: BGN 5,357,371 (64% support).
– **Anchorage**: BGN 2,400,000 (73% support).
– **Roe Deer**: BGN 1,000,000 (83% support).
– **Jebel**: BGN 911,377 (84% support).
– **Black Eye**: BGN 1,402,845 (70% support).
2. **Major Initiatives:**
– Funds are primarily geared towards community improvements including renovation of infrastructure (streets, educational institutions, childcare facilities), investments in local culture (museums), and sports facilities in rural areas.
### Significant Funding for Plovdiv
– **Plovdiv’s Allocation**: BGN 36,103,226, the largest single allocation, with a controversial BGN 20 million earmarked for a Geographic Information System.
– **School Renovations**: Over BGN 4.2 million for “Raina Knyaginya” primary school renovations, plus significant repairs for other schools.
### Repeat Funding Patterns
– **Continuing Support for Satovcha and Yakoruda**:
– **Satovcha**: Total allocation exceeding BGN 5.3 million for various projects, including park repairs and water system upgrades.
– **Yakoruda**: BGN 1.5 million for infrastructure improvements.
### Political Reaction
– **Opposition Criticism**: The PP-DB coalition condemned the allocations as a misuse of taxpayer funds for political favor, arguing that it undermines the original intent of the municipal investment program.
### Official Silence
– There has been no response from Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev or relevant ministries regarding the funding amid a reported BGN 4 billion budget deficit.
### Recent Approvals
- **Financial Meeting Minutes**:
– On November 6, 2024, municipalities were allocated a total of BGN 46,587,568.
– On November 13, additional funds were announced, totaling BGN 39,003,810.
This summary encapsulates the funding structures, implications of the allocations, and the political context surrounding them.