Send to Kindle
Over the week, a forest fire blazed in a wild area in Vitosha above the Sofia village of Bistritsa, with some fearing it might have been a provocation by angered investors. BGNES
Bulgarian capital Sofia's town hall might bring to court the Vitosha Ski company over failing to service lifts in the Vitosha mountain, said Sofia mayor Yordanka Fandakova Sunday.
Vitosha Ski acquired the lifts in Vitosha from the Sofia Municipalitiy during a privatization procedure back in 2007, when current Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov was Sofia's mayor.
However, in the fall of 2011, the company announced it will not operate the lifts and will not open ski facilities for the season, in protest against a denial to expand operations in the mountain.
Vitosha Ski had presented a development project, which was rejected as environmentally unfriendly for the mountain, which, being a designated nature park, is a protected area.
What is more, the company pushed controversial amendments in Bulgaria's Forestry Act that would have virtually scrapped administrative hurdles to go on with expanding facilities in the mountain.
When Parliament adopted the legislation June 13, this triggered spontaneous large-scale protests in Sofia that led to a presidential veto on the act.
The National Assembly is now considering a version of the law that does not include the controversial so-called "Vitosha Ski amendments."
Citizens marched Thursday to show they were on the alert regarding the legislative process, and to request the cancellation of the privatization contract with the company, which they see as bullying hikers, skiers and the government.
"I have invited Vitosha Ski representatives for discussion Monday, and if they do not re-launch the lifts, Sofia Municipality might bring the matter to court," said Sofia mayor Fandakova Sunday.
It is not clear whether the company is in breach of the privatization contract by refusing to operate the facilities it now owns.
The contract does not explicitly specify that Vitosha Ski is obliged to actually operate the lifts, but it mandates that the company does not have the right to change the nature of the facilities it is purchasing.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Sofia's Lunar Festival of Lights is back, illuminating the city with more than 20 captivating light installations across its most iconic landmarks.
Sofia, the vibrant capital of Bulgaria, is experiencing a surge in its economic landscape, surpassing the average European standard of living, according to senior researcher Peter Ganev from the Institute for Market Economics
A wave of protests and violent clashes has engulfed the streets of Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, as demonstrators rally against a controversial draft law targeting organizations deemed to be agents of foreign influence
In a bold move to amplify their demands for higher wages and better working conditions, journalists across Greece have embarked on a 24-hour strike, effectively halting news broadcasts for the duration
In a chilling turn of events, the lifeless body of a man was discovered in Sofia's "Zapaden Park" yesterday, as reported by NovaTV
In connection with the replacement of a shut-off valve on "Beli Dunav" street, district "Nadezhda-3" from Sofia Water warns that today (April 16) it is necessary to stop the water supply from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
In response to the recent deaths of two newborns due to whooping cough, the Ministry of Health in Bulgaria has implemented measures to curb the spread of the disease
Amidst growing discontent among taxi operators across Bulgaria, drivers in major cities like Burgas, Varna, and now Plovdiv are demanding a substantial hike in fares to cope with rising operational costs
Two infants from Kyustendil have tragically lost their lives after contracting whooping cough
Sofia's Lunar Festival of Lights is back, illuminating the city with more than 20 captivating light installations across its most iconic landmarks.
Overnight, rainfall across the country will temporarily cease, with some areas experiencing breaks in the clouds
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a stark warning regarding the spread of bird flu (H5N1) to various species, including humans, expressing deep concern over its impact and potential consequences
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022
