Mayor Vasil Terziev held a working meeting with the SDVR in connection with ensuring public order and security on the occasion of the convening of the 51- the National Assembly on November 11, 2024, reports the press center of the Sofia Municipality.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Metropolitan Directorate of Internal Affairs, the “Security“, “Emergency Assistance and Prevention“, “Traffic Management and Analysis“ of the Metropolitan Municipality (MO) and Center for Urban Mobility.
Mayor Terziev demanded clarity and a plan for coordination between the two institutions – SDVR and the Capital Municipality. “The safety, life and health of citizens is most important. "We cannot allow the city to be held hostage to undemocratic and threatening public order events,” said Vasil Terziev and stated that “everyone's responsibilities must be clear – protest organizers and police.” The CA will work in coordination with the SDVR within its powers through the relevant directorates and offices.
The capital's mayor Terziev asked the SDVR to guarantee public order and security for all citizens of the capital, not to allow an escalation of tension in the area of the building of the National Assembly 2, the Council of Ministers and the Presidency, where tomorrow protests have been declared and agreed upon. To ensure the normal entry of deputies and officials for the ceremony in the National Assembly building and the work of the new parliament, as well as the democratic right of citizens to protest.
Tomorrow, an operational headquarters led by the SDVR was formed to manage the forces engaged in the protection of public order. It will also include an employee of the Security Council.
To ensure public order, the SDVR will create the necessary organization, including a police cordon that will separate the participants in the stated events, the representatives of the law enforcement agencies assured during the meeting.
Difficulties of traffic are possible in the city center and, at the discretion of SDVR, it may be stopped, but if the need ceases, it will be gradually restored.
On November 11, the following protests were agreed in Sofia:
• From 08.30 h. until 5.00 p.m. on “Independence Square” (Largoto) on the side of “Kn. Al. Dondukov“ Blvd. 1, organizer of natural persons, with bus stops for participants in the event on Blvd. “Todor Aleksandrov“ between Blvd. “Hristo Botev“ and Blvd. “Princess Maria Louisa”; on Blvd. “Prince Alexander Dondukov“ between st. “Georgi S. Rakovski“ and Blvd. “Vasil Levski“, without affecting the bicycle lane; on Blvd. “Princess Maria Louisa” in the section between st. “Exarch Joseph“ and Blvd. “Todor Aleksandrov“.
• From 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on the pylons of the National Palace of Culture, with an organizer of natural persons;
• From 10.00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on the square “Atanas Burov“, with a political party organizer;
• From 08.30 a.m. until 8.00 p.m. on the square space in front of the Bulgarian National Bankby a political party, with places to stay and park buses for the participants on ul. “Gen. J. C. Gurko“ between Blvd. “Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi“ and Blvd. “Vasil Levski“;
• From 08.30 h. until 10.00 a.m. on the sidewalk space in front of the Association Courthouse;
• From 08.00 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the National Assembly Square on the west side of the Tsar Liberator Monument flash mob organized by a civil association;
• From 09.00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on the territory of the City Garden, with organizer individuals.
According to the current regulations, when coordinating the various events, it was observed that they were in different locations.
Mayor Terziev requested that enhanced video surveillance be carried out by the Operational Duty Center for video surveillance of the Metropolitan Municipality, which is in constant contact with the established headquarters.
Not to allow circumstances that would endanger the lives and health of citizens, as well as damage to private and public property, the mayor of Sofia asked the law enforcement authorities. As well as to ensure the normal functioning of the parliament and the preservation of public order until the demonstrations cease, as well as the right to peaceful civil protest.
The meeting also discussed the need to ensure normal traffic for passing cars with a special traffic regime such as emergency, fire, emergency safety.
Difficulties in traffic are expected, but no changes are foreseen in the timetables of the public transport lines. Therefore, CO advises citizens to use public transport when moving around.