Diana Simeonova, reporter for the France Presse from Sofia commented that the endangered Bulgarian construction sector is worried that many infrastructure projects that were financed by the European Union will be left to dust due to the upcoming parliamentary elections and the EU’s concern for possible corruption schemes.

“The government needs to find a way to unblock the EU funds, so that we resume work on the large infrastructure projects as soon as possible”, said Nikolai Mikhailov, chairman of the transport section of the Association of the construction industry.

“The companies are worried. The crisis left 75% of them without work and these projects are a matter of survival for the sector now – a sector that is an integral part of the economical growth”, said Veliko Zhelev, chief executive of the Association of road construction industries. However, both Mikhailov and Zhelev are pessimistic about having large projects by the end of 2009. “It’s best not to forget that elections are coming”, they comment.