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“Major national goals are achievable only with the support of all 265 municipalities. Any policy is doomed to fail without strong local self-government,” stated President Iliana Yotova at the XXXIX General Assembly of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria (NSORB).

In her address to the participants, the President emphasized the key role of local authorities in the country’s development and in defending the interests of Bulgarian citizens. She noted that without strong local self-government, the connection between the state and its citizens is impossible.

The Head of State expressed appreciation to NSORB leadership and all mayors for their consistent work over the years as partners of national institutions, active participants in the formulation of strategic decisions, and as a corrective in their implementation. “You are simultaneously ministers of everything locally – people expect responsibility and solutions from you, regardless of the nature of the problems,” Yotova stressed, noting that local authorities often bear the burden of crises caused by political instability and institutional erosion at the national level.

The President highlighted the challenges facing municipalities: demographic decline, deepening regional disparities, social inequalities, delays in strategic infrastructure, and the need for sustainable solutions instead of temporary improvisations.

“We cannot rely forever on acts of courage. Strategic vision, incentive measures, and an equal system of rules and opportunities for every municipality are necessary,” she said. Yotova emphasized that the state must defend the interests of Bulgarian municipalities within European institutions and that national positions regarding cohesion policy must be based on the expertise of local authorities and knowledge of real needs.

She stressed the importance of financial autonomy for municipalities and greater independence in planning and implementing policies.

The President expressed her expectation that the caretaker government engage in immediate dialogue with NSORB, as the absence of a regular budget hampers the fulfillment of existing commitments and prevents proper planning. “Two months may seem short, but in today’s dynamic times, they can block key activities,” she warned. Yotova noted that in consultations with parliamentary groups on forming a caretaker cabinet, she consistently raised the issue of local government and the difficulties it faces without a regular national budget.

President Yotova also highlighted issues with water and sewage management systems and the high losses of drinking water, pointing out the insufficient effectiveness of previous state measures for sustainable management, citing a 60% loss of potable water as an example.

According to the President, another significant challenge for local authorities is coping with floods and fires. She noted that the main burden of such crises falls on local government, which must mobilize people while facing insufficient state-provided resources to manage these problems.

“People ask the mayor why they cannot pay their bills and why prices are rising. God is high, the king is far – the mayor is right there with them,” she stated, emphasizing the need for urgent social measures. Yotova highlighted citizens’ concerns following Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone, regarding rising prices and municipalities’ limited ability to support the most vulnerable under budgetary constraints.

“It is time to speak less about high-level politics and more about people’s everyday concerns,” Yotova stressed. She emphasized that the focus should be on neighborhood infrastructure, access to kindergartens and schools, a clean environment, and safe spaces for children. The President noted that these everyday concerns in every settlement are addressed by local authorities, even though politicians often claim these successes as their own. “Good governance is not a game of one-upmanship or a bargaining chip in the political market. It requires cooperation, trust, and predictability,” she said.

President Yotova also highlighted the responsibility of local authorities in the context of upcoming elections and the need to ensure honest and transparent voting. “Let us make sure that when people go to vote, they believe that every vote will be counted,” she urged.

NSORB Chairman Daniel Panov thanked Iliana Yotova for her unwavering support of local self-government and her commitment to regional development.