Vladimir Kissyov, Chairman of the UDF Group at the Sofia Municipal Council: I rely on transparent administration and involvement of the citizens

borislav_mihaylov.bg@abv.bg


- Mr. Kissyov, you were nominated by the UDF (Union of Democratic Forces) as its candidate for Sofia mayor. Was there a more favourable option for a better coordination and better communication between the UDF and the DSB (Democrats for Strong Bulgaria) so as to avoid the preliminary elections in the Blue Coalition for this post?
- If there was such an option, we would have probably reached it. It is impossible for two political parties to have no differences since they are actually two separate units. The preliminary elections are also a democratic form. When an issue cannot be resolved through certain democratic instruments, then other democratic means are necessary. In this case, these are the preliminary elections which are open to all citizens. This is another proof of the fact that we do not fear that such an important decision will be made by the vote of all our members and supporters, as well as virtually by all those willing to partake in the elections.

- When will the Open Elections of the Blue Coalition take place?
- I think that they can be actually carried out in late May. Fir example, May 29, Sunday, would be a convenient date.

- Regardless of whether we will call them internal or open elections, a pre-election campaigning is always held in such cases. Does this apply to these particular elections?
- There is always a pre-election campaigning and it should be a part of the positive aspect of the forthcoming elections. The electorate has the right and needs to know for whom and for what it will cast its votes. Now, parts of the nominees' programmes will be made public, as well as their standpoints on major problems of the Sofia capital. There will be a positive effect of this preliminary electoral fight.

- And what is the actual cost of holding such internal elections?
- I remember that the cost of the internal party elections held in the UDF stood at BGN 10-15,000 at a national scale. At that time, I served as a Chairman of the then election committee. Now, presumably, this amount is expected to be slightly higher, since there will be more expenses for the purchase of ballot papers, part of the materials as well as stationaries.

- Indeed, prior to your nomination as UDF candidate for Sofia mayor, you presented your 40-minute statement to the UDF National Executive Council (NEC). What are the main points in your pre-election platform?
- A similar presentation of the platforms of the candidates was held not only in the UDF, but was also conducted before the members of the general group, set up by the Blue Coalition. By the way, I am the type of person who never denies the positive achievements of the others. In this sense, my platform was based on the already achieved results of both the current municipal administration and its predecessors. My priorities are not ranked according to the opportunities for new inaugurations. Normally, the moment always comes for the official opening of the initiatives, launched by the predecessors sometimes many years ago. I am the first Bulgarian and one of the few rapporteurs of the EU Committee of the Regions on the topic of good administration at local and regional level. I have prepared a statement which was adopted in the plenary hall and sent to the European Parliament afterwards.

Generally, my platform is based on the policy and strategy aimed at the further development of the civil participation in the entire administration process, which is covering the preparatory stage and the decision-making phase for solving of the respective issue, the monitoring of the project implementation, the final assessment and the reporting to citizens on each stage of the process. This ensures that people will feel involved in the administration of their city. Thus, problems and priorities of the city become problems and priorities of each individual. This method of administration is more difficult because it is more time-consuming. However, it is better to have adherents in government than to face the resistance caused by the lack of public awareness of both citizens or entrepreneurs.

- Which are the fundamental principles you will rely on?
- Every citizen wants more order, security and rules to be introduced similar to those in his/her family. The question is what measures should be applied so that the Sofia citizens could see in the management of their city the reflection of the rules and procedures already followed by their own families. For me, this is one of the challenges in the Sofia city management. It includes, of course, an equal treatment of the citizens under all the rules, as well as strong public control for compliance with them.

It is improper to encumber the citizens with higher taxes and fees only because of purely mathematical calculations in order to attract more funds for investment in the Sofia Municipality's projects. Actually, other sources of revenue must be sought and the tax burden should be fairly allocated among the population. Henceforth, any further failures similar to those that occurred at the beginning of this year cannot be tolerated any longer after the ill-considered administrative actions for the introduction of higher building tax bills and unjustified increase of the garbage fee rate.

- Are you not worried that if you are elected Sofia mayor, there will be again a conflict between the executive power and the city's management like in the past?
- I think that it is possible the administration system to operate normally, if the principal of transparency is observed. That is, there should be maximum openness and transparency in everything, including inter-institutional relations. No mayor would venture to lead a policy detrimental to the citizens, if they are obviously aware of that.

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