Construction workers called a peaceful protest in Sofia to defend the sector. They are expressing their concern over the attacks against the sector and the accusations of the high prices and poor quality of repair works, of corruption practices and misappropriation of funds.

According to the chairman of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber Ilian Terziev, the attacks aim to discredit or even liquidate the Bulgarian companies before the upcoming major projects under European programmes, and to hand over the Bulgarian construction industry to foreign companies.

Taxi drivers also came out to protest for the second time in two weeks. Their demands remain the same – higher fares per kilometer, maximum fare adjustment, and allowing taxis to use bus lanes. 

Later, representatives of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber met with Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev to acquaint him with the problems of the Bulgarian construction sector. We should talk openly about the problems in the construction sector, President Radev said at the meeting. Bulgaria’s head of state called on the Bulgarian Construction Chamber to uphold the good name of the industry during the fulfillment of public procurement orders and in all phases of construction works. We need pricing standards and clear procedures that would guarantee that when a contract is signed and payments are made the money invested in the process will guarantee the necessary quality and safety, Bulgaria’s head of state underlined.