The acting mayor of Varna, Pavel Popov, responded to an open letter sent by the municipal councilors from GERB – Varna, in which they made specific requests to him. The councilors claim that their goal is to protect the public interest and legality in the management of municipal land, but according to Popov, the idea is part of the opposition’s intention to remove Mayor Blagomir Kotsov from office. The acting mayor described the letter as “blatant lies.”
The councillors’ demands relate to the Horizon complex, owned by the family of the mayor of the city, Blagomir Kotsov, and the stopping of car traffic in the Sea Garden.
Popov responded to each point in the letter.
Lie 1: “Oversize Horizon has been ordered by the court of last resort to pay BGN 400,000 to the municipality.”
The truth: The final ruling is pending – the case between the Municipality of Varna and the aforementioned company is before the Supreme Court of Cassation; a closed hearing on admissibility is scheduled for March 17, 2026.
Lie 2: “Kotsov prohibited municipal employees from taking administrative action to ensure that the money went to the municipality.”
The truth: The Municipality of Varna filed the case against the company in 2023 (under Mayor Portnih) and lost it in the first instance (District Court – Varna) with decision 861/July 22, 2024. On August 14, 2024 (under Mayor Kotsov) the Municipality of Varna appealed the unfavorable decision before the second instance (Varna Court of Appeals) in a civil case. It was in this case that, with a decision dated March 18, 2025, the second instance ruled in favor of the municipality and awarded compensation of nearly BGN 400,000. It is clear that as mayor, Blagomir Kotsov defended the interests of the institution he heads, rather than the interests of a private business with which he had connections in the past. However, the decision of the second instance has not entered into force because it has been appealed before the Supreme Court of Cassation. Given the significant differences between the decisions of the first and second instances, it is logical to wait for the final court ruling before proceeding with enforcement actions.
Lie 3: “Since 2023, a mayoral order prohibiting cars from driving in the park has been in force. This order was published in the State Gazette and has not been appealed by anyone.”
The truth: This is obviously Order 1517/12.05.2023, published in the State Gazette. It is based on a decision by the Varna Municipal Council of May 11, 2023, approving a project to update the General Traffic Organization Plan (GTOP). However, this decision was declared null and void after an appeal to the Administrative Court of Varna, as it was issued with a complete lack of competence. The decision of the court of first instance was upheld by the Supreme Administrative Court.
According to Popov, it is absurd to request the enforcement of Ivan Portnih’s order, based on a decision by an “incompetent authority,” which was rejected in the first and last instance.
The Supreme Administrative Court’s decision itself rejects the argument that Portnih’s order is the valid act approving the final draft update of the GPOD, respectively, through which the movement of cars in the park can be stopped.
Popov rejected the claim by GERB councillors that the Horizon car park is illegal, explaining that it concerns individual elements such as barriers or shacks, for which the violations have been removed, and adding that no court has ruled that the facilities around the complex are illegal (the dispute is whether they owe rent for the area they “occupy” and for which they regularly pay the municipality, or for the area of the entire plot on which they are located).
According to Pavel Popov, such statements are part of the opposition’s intentions to remove Mayor Kotsov from office, who has been in custody since July 8, when he was arrested after allegations of requesting a percentage of a public procurement contract from businesswoman Plamenka Dimitrova.
