The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) has submitted a petition, calling for the free-of-charge transfer of ownership of the Buzludzha monument, which is currently state property.

Buzludzha is a landmark site for Bulgaria's left-wing because the foundations of the Socialist Movement in Bulgaria were laid there in 1891.

The concrete, UFO-like structure, resides on top of Mount Buzludzha. It was unveiled in 1981 on the occasion of the 1300th anniversary of the founding of the Bulgarian state. Next to the pie-shaped structure stands a 70-meter concrete pillar. On the inside of the monument you can see gilded mosaics depicting Bulgarian and Soviet communist leaders like Dimitar Blagoev, Georgi Dimitrov, Todor Zhivkov, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin and Leonid Brezhnev. Buried in the ground beneath the monument is a capsule containing a message for the future.

However, the once awe-inspiring monument has now degenerated into a decrepit building providing shelter for Satanists gathering, drunkards and hobos. Graffiti artists have sprayed a giant red-colored "Forget Your Past" moto right above the padlocked entrance.

The socialists' claim, filed with the local administration in Stara Zagora, cites Bulgaria's State Property Act and is addressed to Regional Development Minister Rosen Plevneliev and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

"I hope that Boyko Borisov will be man enough to stick to his words and give us back the monument", said Yavor Gechev, Chair of BSP's Youth Union, reminding that the Prime Minister had said earlier that the socialists could have the Buzludzha monument back if they wanted it.

The left-wing youths have vowed to open a fundraising campaign to secure the maintenance of the concrete structure through a donation account and sms text message donations, as soon as they acquire ownership of the monument.

"We are aware of the substantial expenses involved", BSP MP Antoni Kutev said Wednesday, adding that the socialists also insist on the resignation of the Stara Zagora District Governor due to his failure to fulfill his statutory duty to take due care of public property.

The Buzludzha monument sparked wrangling between BSP and center-right ruling party GERB after in end-July Stara Zagora District Governor Yordan Nikolov issued an ordinance banning access to the monument on the basis of its dangerously dilapidated condition one day ahead of the traditional BSP gathering .

Despite the ban, BSP lit the five-pointed star on the monument using electricity from a nearby private lift.

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