The Sofia Municipal Election Commission (MEC) prematurely terminated the powers of the mayor of the "Ilinden" region. Emil Branchevsky, it became known from a decision published on the official website of the OIC, BTA reported.
According to the reasons of the election commission, there is evidence that Branchevsky has participation as director and owner in registered on February 15, 2024. (registered on February 18, 2024) commercial company Clinic For Medical Services Branchevski – Kolev LTD ("Medical Services Clinic – Branchevsky – Kolev" OOD) on the territory of Great Britain. This circumstance is in direct conflict with the norms of the Law on Local Self-Government and Local Administration (LAGLA), the commission writes.
It is recalled that from the moment of taking the oath - November 13, 2023 and taking office as regional mayor, the restrictions under the same law must be observed. It concerns an incompatibility that is regulated by law, as the legislator has taken into account the nature of the mayor's functions and has set clear limitations that everyone is obliged to observe. That is why it is of no legal importance whether or not a commercial activity was actually carried out, since the restriction is related to the prevention of undue influence and conflict of interest.
There is a one-month period from the assumption of office, in which the person must take the necessary actions for its termination by notifying the MEC and the chairman of the municipal council in writing. Failure to fulfill this obligation constitutes an independent basis for imposing a sanction, through the early termination of the mayor's powers, the decision makes clear.
From the OIC – Stolichka is reminded that Emil Branchevsky had the opportunity to object to the accusations against him. In the objection, it is denied that he carries out commercial activity and it is indicated that signals and complaints were submitted to various institutions in connection with allegations that the person's personal data was misused. Evidence of such complaints filed, proceedings initiated, etc. are not represented by the person, the commission writes. There is also a lack of any evidence (certificates, official notes or other documents) from the institutions allegedly referred to the stage of such proceedings and any measures taken by them.
Taking into account the response of the Companies Office of Great Britain, and the active principle in Bulgaria, that the circumstances entered in such type of registers are considered true until proven otherwise, OIC – Stolichna cannot accept anything other than the obviously established registered circumstance, confirmed by a state registry authority. The participation of Emil Branchevsky in this active commercial company is a fact that the Commission itself established immediately after receiving the objection, as early as June 20, 2024, with the purpose of an up-to-date check whether the registration authority had not noted in some way that the recorded circumstance was in process of contestation, revision or with suspended action, it is clear from the decision.
The decision is subject to challenge within 7 days of its announcement before the Administrative Court – Sofia city.
On Tuesday, Boris Bonev, municipal councilor from "We continue the change - Democratic Bulgaria" ("Save Sofia") announced that "there is a brazen attempt to change the vote of the citizens in the metropolitan area of Ilinden". According to Bonev, since his victory until now, Dr. Branchevsky's activities as mayor of "Ilinden" was sabotaged and protests and campaigning were organized at various sites. The culmination of his self-dealing was the false establishment of a company in his name in Great Britain, which put him in violation of the Local Government Act, since mayors cannot be managers and owners of companies, the municipal councilor added at the time.
There is no doubt who is the guarantor, Bonev also said, pointing out that it is the GERB party, and turned to Boyko Borisov with a call "not to give free rein to primitive instincts", but to accept losses and fight with democratic methods.