Maya Manolova in front of FACT: We rubbed the nose of the Sofia Municipality for the double increase in parking prices

The Supreme Administrative Court finally stopped the changes in paid parking in Sofia, which provided for a double increase in prices, expansion of the zones and new fees. The decision came after a complaint from citizens and “Stand Up.BG“. What is next and is the 20 euro measure adequate to support the socially disadvantaged due to the increase in fuel… Maya Manolova, leader of “Stand Up.BG“, speaks to FACT.

– Ms. Manolova, is the decision of the Supreme Administrative Court a small or a big victory?
– The victory that we achieved together with the citizens is great, because we stopped the absurd spending of money from the capital's budget. 11 million The capital's municipal councilors were going to spend 100,000 leva to mark out new parking spaces - for markings and signs, including in neighborhoods where there is no asphalt. We also stopped the damage to the capital's residents, because these changes would have hit the pockets of the citizens very seriously. The currency conversion was one to one - one leva became one euro. So the "blue" zone of 2 leva became 2 euros, the "green" zone - from one leva to one euro, the brackets of 30 leva to 30 euros, and the subscriptions also doubled.

– What procedural violations did you find in the work of the municipality?
– Instead of asking people and collecting their opinions by neighborhood, the municipal councilors had limited themselves to the so-called written consultations, in which about 100 people participated, with three-quarters of they were against them. Through a formally conducted procedure, they actually violated their own regulation on public discussions, as well as the Local Self-Government Act and the Normative Acts Act. You can't adopt an act that affects all citizens and guests of the capital without asking anyone.

– Do you think this court decision will change the behavior of the municipality?
– We taught them a lesson. We rubbed the nose of the Sofia Municipality for the double increase in parking prices. I want to state that any such decision made without public discussion will be attacked in court. If they want to save themselves the shame of new lost cases, they should start asking citizens for every important action.

– How would you comment on the arguments of the Sofia Municipality with which they defended themselves?
– They were absurd. They explained that the way they spend the money does not concern the citizens and they have no legal interest in appealing. This is a very dangerous way of thinking. The money is public and people have the right to know how it is spent.

– Is there accountability for the funds from the zones?
– No. It is about 40 million leva per year, but there is no report on how it is spent. There are no parking lots built, there are no real measures to ease traffic. Apparently it is spent only on administration.

– And if we leave Sofia's problems a little bit - how do you view the increase in fuel prices due to the war in Iran. Surely within an official cabinet it is difficult to control the price? For example, these 20 euros that are given to people - is this an adequate measure in your opinion?
– This is a mockery of Bulgarian citizens. These 20 euros will only be able to be received by a limited number people - those with minimal incomes who, notice, have their own car. The poorest who do not have cars are excluded from this measure. In addition, the administration and bureaucracy for receiving this money is so complicated that many people will refuse to submit applications, to open bank accounts. Those who meet the conditions - to have property and cars - have obviously not received social benefits before, so a large part of the addressees of this measure will get bogged down in bureaucratic procedures and will refuse. If the ministers do not know what to do, it is good to look at what neighboring countries are doing. The 20 euro measure, according to experts from “Izprav se.BG“, will cost the state about 23 million euros. However, the revenues from the increased VAT with the increase in fuel prices by 10% per month bring about 30 million euros to the state treasury. That is, even what they will collect in excess, there is no desire to return to the people.

– Where should we look in neighboring countries as a good example?
– In Greece, the measures amount to about 300 million euros. In Croatia – about 400 million euros. In Greece, households with an annual income of up to 30 thousand euros receive support, and families with children – up to 45 thousand euros. That is, the aid is not aimed only at the poorest. In addition, these countries are taking measures to control inflation. In Bulgaria, these 20 euros will not stop inflation. In Greece, Croatia, Hungary and Romania, fuel price ceilings are being introduced, with the difference above this ceiling being borne by the state. This way, prices are being controlled for all citizens. In Greece, there is also a requirement that price increases for food products and essential goods do not exceed the levels of previous years. In Romania, the transport sector is also being supported so that transportation costs and, accordingly, the prices of goods do not increase. In other words, these are well-thought-out measures that actually support people – for example, in Croatia the aid is about 70 euros, not 20 euros, as in Bulgaria, and at the same time prices are limited.

– But we have a caretaker government, what can it do?
– The fact is that the caretaker government's hands are tied, because Bulgaria is the only country listed that has not adopted legislation allowing control over price increases - both for food and fuel. The “Anti-speculation” law, which we proposed and which was adopted on first reading in the last parliament, was not brought to completion. The deputies can still do it - I urge them to interrupt their election tours and adopt on second reading the law on price control of basic goods and fuel. Such mechanisms are already working effectively in neighboring countries.