The deputies voted for changes in the Law on the State Budget, with which the projects of the municipalities were supplemented. Thus, their total value reached BGN 7.3 billion for the period between 2024 and 2026, BNT reports. For the last quarter, there were 753 requests to change the projects. Some of the mayors insist that certain projects be dropped, others to be supplemented, and others to be replaced.
At the moment, the implementation of the projects is lagging behind the set program. The total amount of the projects for 2024 is BGN 4.5 billion. Of this amount, BGN 3.8 billion is funding from the state budget, and nearly BGN 800 million is funds from European programs. The aim is to support the capital program of the municipalities, as each mayor concludes an agreement with the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works.
The implementation of the projects, however, lags behind in terms of implementation - until September 20, the projects paid for are 185 million BGN, or less than 13% of the originally planned amount of 1.5 billion BGN.
The total number of projects approved so far is 2885. However, it is expected that a small part of them will be implemented by the end of this year and paid accordingly from the budget. A larger part will have to be laid down in the state budgets for the next year and the year after that. Accordingly, their financing should be ensured.
During the plenary debates, from "Revival" pointed out that there is a problem with the submission of projects by the small municipalities that are lagging behind.
"Let them do everything possible to strengthen the capacity of small municipalities so that they can submit their projects on time", appeals Dimo Drenchev from "Vazrazhdane".
According to PP-DB, the organization created is good and so far not a single project has been returned, despite the difference in the organization of small and large municipalities.
"This is one of the good reforms that the parliament managed to do. A regime of serious competition between all municipalities was created. We promised three updates to this budget, this is the third. The approach that existed at the time of GERB was for nearby municipalities to receive funding, if the mayors have to be angry with anyone now, it is with themselves," said Martin Dimitrov from PP-DB.
The changes to the budget were voted on in the first and second reading in the plenary hall.