Bulgaria's municipal investment program faces funding shortfall as mayor and finance minister demand budget revisions

Sofia mayor Vasyl Terziev said the state budget omits key municipal infrastructure items, including stable financing for city transport, a national programme to build new schools, a national children’s hospital and the southwestern segment of the ring road. He called for clear criteria and transparent allocation, urging the government to provide €13.6 million for transport, €11.8 million for metro security and €500 million for school construction.

Finance Minister Galab Donov announced a mechanism to pay for projects already started under the three‑year municipal investment programme. He noted that of the €3.4 billion planned for 2024, only €255 million was paid, and in 2025 just 21 % of the required funds were released. An additional €600 million is earmarked in the upcoming budget to settle pending payments and avoid unfinished water‑ and sewer‑works in municipalities.

Both officials stress that without the extra funding the municipal projects risk remaining incomplete, threatening essential services for Bulgarian citizens.