Silistra Has Awakened: A Civic Uprising Against Wind Farms and Oligarchic Dependencies – Analysis by Krasimira Katincharova

Krasimira Katincharova (Красимира Катинчарова), a long-time eco activist and currently a member of parliament, presents an overview of a significant civic protest in Silistra, directed against proposed amendments to the city's Master Development Plan, which envision the construction of large-scale wind parks. The main issue is the conflict of interest involving the mayor Alexander Sabanov (Александър Сабанов) and the alleged involvement of influential figures such as Ivo Prokopiev (Иво Прокопиев) and Tsvetelina Borislavova (Цветелина Бориславова) as investors in projects threatening the fertile land. Katincharova reports that lawsuits and alerts have been prepared for the anti-corruption authorities and the Prosecutor’s Office (Прокуратурата) due to established violations in the decision-making process of the Municipal Council (Общинския съвет). Activists are fighting not only against the existing 43 turbines but also against two additional large future projects, which they believe exemplify the siphoning of state resources by individuals close to those in power. The citizens' goal is to protect their land and ensure that decisions are made in a healthy environment and under equal conditions, rather than to the detriment of the local community.

Here is the overview by Krasimira Katincharova (Красимира Катинчарова):

The Civic Protest and the Conflict of Interest

Silistra has awakened. The citizens of Silistra took to the streets with their cars in protest and circled the city. Hundreds gathered in front of the Municipal Administration building (сградата на общината) because yesterday a public discussion was held regarding amendments to the city's Master Development Plan (Общия устройствен план). The reason is the construction of the “VEB Silistra (ВЕБ Силистра)” wind park, and behind the investor stands—or rather emerges—the figure of Ivo Prokopiev (Иво Прокопиев).

We have established that Mayor Alexander Sabanov (Александър Сабанов) is in a very serious conflict of interest. We presented documents and pointed out violations in the decision-making of the Municipal Council (Общинския съвет). A lawsuit, a signal to the Commission for Anti-Corruption Prevention (Комисията за противодействие на корупцията), and to the Prosecutor’s Office (Прокуратурата) have been prepared. From this point forward, any decisions regarding this project may prove pointless, because once this conflict of interest and the severe violations in issuing the decisions are confirmed, everything following from these decisions may turn out to be null and void.

This gives hope to the citizens of Silistra, who must fight not only against these 43 turbines but also against two more sets of 100.

The Schemes Behind the Major Energy Projects

The company is called “Georestarth (Георестарт)”, and they are waiting for Ivo Prokopiev (Иво Прокопиев) to pave their way into the “golden lands” of the Danube city. After that comes this “Georestarth (Георестарт)” project of 100 turbines, and yet another one, possibly again with 100 turbines. Rumor has it that behind the next 100 turbines emerges the silhouette of Tsvetelina Borislavova (Цветелина Бориславова).

As I have already said, behind every such large project stands either some oligarch, or a powerful businessman close to those in power, or even someone who has been part of that power. Just as almost behind every photovoltaic park stands a member of parliament or someone close to the authorities; just as some years ago most MPs and people close to the government built private hydropower plants. There is no problem for all of them to work and make money, but let them do it in a healthy environment, under equal conditions with everyone else, not by using the state in order to drain it and profit at our expense.

The Battle for the Land and the Future of Silistra

The problem of destroying Silistra’s fertile land is enormous, and this has been my cause not from today, but for the past three years. We continue to inform the population and want them to know what is being prepared for them—where they live, where they obtain their food, and where they work—because the state does not protect them. No one measures how this will impact the local economy and the environment, because the investors themselves pay the experts to produce a convenient report that will pass through the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW) (РИОСВ).

And so, Silistra, this is only the beginning. Thank you to all the vigilant people who care about what will happen to their golden land—whether it will lose value, whether their health will suffer, and what the future holds. There is no turning back from this path. Vigilant citizens never fall asleep again. On the contrary, they become ever more critical of their leaders and of those they pay to make decisions on their behalf.

People of Silistra, prepare yourselves. We are coming again.