Sofia’s chief architect stands firm after mayor’s request

Sofia’s Chief Architect, Bogdana Panayotova, said she will not step down after Mayor Vasil Terziev requested her resignation the previous day. She stated that the mayor’s message did not cite reasons, and that she first learned of the request by text while he was out of the city and she was receiving medical care. The dispute places the capital’s top planning official at odds with the newly elected mayor, who has pressed for changes at City Hall.

Panayotova said no explanation accompanied the message and that it characterized a termination as appropriate without detailing conduct, policy breaches, or failures. She added that she expects a direct conversation where the mayor specifies what principles, practices, or commitments she allegedly violated before she considers any response. She also said that until such a meeting occurs, she intends to remain in her post. City authorities did not provide an immediate public rationale for the move.