Leftist Sofia Mayor Candidate: It's Time for Clear Rules

Novinite Insider » INTERVIEW | October 22, 2003, Wednesday // 00:00
Leftist Sofia Mayor Candidate: It's Time for Clear Rules Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (novinite.com)

Stoyan Alexandrov was born in 1949 in Ilia, Kyustendil district. Graduated in the Higher Institute of Finance and Economics in Svishtov. From 1991 - 1992 he worked in the Bulgarian National Bank branch in Kyustendil. From 1991 - 1992 headed the Head Office for Taxes in the Ministry of Finance, worked as an expert in the Committee of Budget and Finance in the 36 National Assembly. Bulgaria's Finance Minister in 1993 - 1994. Candidate of the Bulgarian Socialist Party in the upcoming Sofia mayor elections.

Stoyan Alexandrov answered questions of novinite.com

Q: How does the post of Sofia mayor attract you?

A: I see this post rather as a responsibility and a lot of hard work than a temptation. There are many problems still unsolved in Sofia, and currently the whole governing approach is wrong. It favors a very narrow circle of people instead of all of the residents in the city. My ambition is to change that.

Q: What advantages does your experience give you before the other candidates for the post? Who do you see as your main rival?

A: I have a considerable experience in finance management. If people trust me to handle their money issues then I have gained a considerable confidence credit and justified their trust for years. I take all the other candidates seriously, but some of them аrе unable to take part in a meaningful discussion and talk about matters of practical importance.

Q: Which is the gravest problem Sofia faces today?

A: There are many issues - cleanliness maintaining, transportation, buildings in areas between blocks of flats. But, as I have already said, the main problem is lack of transparency when it comes to the city's governing, lack of clear regulations.

Q: What would be your occupation if you suffer defeat in the upcoming elections?

A: I have made a successful career as a financier and my work as a lecturer at the University for National and World Economy also means a lot to me. Now I focus on my pre-election campaign and I believe I will come out as a winner. I also believe that I can do much more than what has already been done in Sofia. I don't see such a strong motivation for action in any of the other candidates. Some of them are trying to rescue political parties, others just want to save themselves, and some are there just for the self-advertisement.

Q: How did you benefit from your political experience so far? How did it disappoint you?

A: I am not a politician in the widely accepted sense of the word. I would rather call myself a technocrat, and have always been annoyed by too much emphasizing on separate parties in the country' political life. As a mayor candidate nominated by the Socialist Party I have only one obligation - to realize my program. That was also the party's only requirement when they picked me for this post.

Q: Do you have any friends among members of rival political parties?

A: Yes, a lot. Some people who were linked to other parties are now also in my pre-election committee. Plamen Oresharski is also a friend of mine and I still regret the decision of the Union of Democratic Forces to withdraw their support for him. There was a real debate going on between him and me and voters could benefit from that.

Q: Describe yourself as a person and as a professional.

A: I see myself as a consistent man. I am ambitious and everything I've earned in my life is a result of my own efforts. I am the father of two wonderful children and also a fan of the CSKA football club.

Q: What were the last book, and the last CD you bought?

A: I bought Tosho Toshev's memoirs and Leadership by Rudolf Juliani. That was at the beginning the campaign and now I have little time for reading books. Music helps me relax in the evenings when I'm at home. I haven't bought any CDs lately, and listen more to the old stuff - evergreens and sixties classics.

Q: Tell us a joke that really made you laugh heartily...

A: There is a collection of jokes for students and teachers on my website. They always make me smile, even the older ones.

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