Socialist women held a large-scale forum on the responsibility of local government to citizens

The Union of Socialist Women, the “Friedrich Ebert-Bulgaria” Foundation and the Institute for Social Integration held in Veliko Tarnovo a civic forum “For a useful, innovative and responsible local government to citizens”

The longest-serving municipal mayor in the district, Georgi Chakarov, who has led the municipality of Polski Trumbesh since 2003, spoke on the topic “Sustainable development, a strong request for changes in municipal activity during the 2023-2027 term”.

And the deputy speaker of the local parliament in the old capital, Irena Stasinopoulou, introduced the audience to the “Development of Veliko Tarnovo – problems and opportunities”. Associate Professor Nikolay Tsonkov from UNSS spoke about “Effective local policies and practices in local self-government for building sustainable municipalities”.

The forum was opened by the chairman of the Union of Socialist Women, Dora Yankova, who introduced the speakers. But she also invited the ladies with whom she founded the Union of Socialist Women in the BSP 19 years ago.

“It was on this date in Sofia that we founded the Union of Socialist Women, which is why we are also dedicating the forum to this event. Here are our first chairpersons Katya Nikolova, Lyubka Ignatova, Katya Koleva. For the second year, we have the support of the “Friedrich Ebert” Foundation, and the leader in this project is the Institute for Social Integration”, Dora Yankova addressed everyone.

The chairman of the Institute for Social Integration, Katya Koleva, also greeted everyone.

“The Institute for Social Integration decided as a priority, together with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, to organize these forums with the Union of Socialist Women. You are people who are oriented with that subtle sensitivity of those who think not only of their own being, but of the whole field. That’s why I welcome the hosts who organize these forums”, shared Katya Koleva.

The host of the discussion and the organizer of the meeting in the old capital was the regional chairman of the BSP Mariana Boyadzhieva, who is part of the leadership of the Union of Socialist Women.

“The topic that has been chosen is very close to the members of the party because the BSP has a very strong position in the local government in the district in all the years of transition until today. Despite the difficult times, the BSP finds its way to the left voters. Last year we managed to keep our four municipal mayors. We are well represented in local parliaments. In three municipalities we have chairmen, and in two municipalities we have an absolute majority. The representation of women is also strong. We have 14 female municipal councilors in the district, five ladies lead settlements,” Mariana Boyadzhieva told everyone.

Those present were also welcomed by the chairman of the women socialists in the Veliko Tarnovo region Lidiya Prokopova, who emphasized that women are a pillar of the BSP.

“There must be a worldwide resistance against those who obscure the holy idea of ​​social justice, of brotherhood and a dignified life. Without women there can be no socialist party. “Next to every strong man stands a strong woman,” said Lidiya Prokopova.

The speakers at the forum provoked a serious discussion. The mayor of Polski Trumbesh, Georgi Chakarov, presented his long-term work and gave examples of how the municipality saves money. He emphasized that a municipal enterprise takes care of the lighting, which has been completely replaced with energy-saving bulbs for several years. This has reduced costs by at least 4 times. Georgi Chakarov turned the tape back and recalled difficult moments that were overcome with great effort by the administration.

“It is very important that the administration is not afraid and has freedom.

I have tried to give them this freedom, not to be afraid to make mistakes. Far more often I have been unhappy with missed opportunities than with mistakes made. This is important to know”, Georgi Chakarov addressed everyone, who deserved the applause and congratulations of those present.

Irena Stassinopoulou’s topic was aimed at the problems of the old capital in a municipality where most of the activities are carried out with public procurement. She emphasized the opportunities for development and the desire of the Veliko Tarnovo public to build a new city center, which, however, has been practically frozen for years. Stassinopoulou also highlighted the major problems with transport in the municipality, the poor infrastructure and the lack of state and municipal policy regarding the development of Veliko Tarnovo as the cultural and spiritual capital of Bulgaria.

Many of the attendees joined the discussion. The forum was honored by the mayor of Suhindol Eng. Plamen Chernev, the chairman of the Municipal Council in Gorna Oryahovitsa Ognyan Stoyanov, the secretary of the Municipality of Suhindol Marinela Pazvantova, the mayor of Balvan Nedyo Georgiev, municipal councilors from the municipalities in the district and representatives of the Union of Socialist Women.