site.btaSocialist Party National Council Decides on Development of Concept to Launch TV Channel

Sofia, February 24 (BTA) - Meeting on Saturday, the policy-making National Council of the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) assigned the elaboration of a concept on the launch of a BSP television channel, the BSP said in a press release.

"Undoubtedly, the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council remains the most important priority for this month and the coming months. It is still an opportunity for Bulgaria to be a motor, a leader in decision-making on Europe's future. But the Boyko Borissov Government wastes this opportunity daily by defacing Bulgaria's European image," BSP leader Kornelia Ninova said at the National Council meeting. She recalled all scandals and corruption disclosures before and after the start of the Presidency.

Regarding the latest such scandal, over the sale of the CEZ electricity distribution company to a private Bulgarian company and the ensuing resignation of Energy Minister Temenouzhka Petkova, Ninova commented: "This is indeed a transaction between two free market players, but it is secret, untransparent, and gives rise to numerous questions: how come that a company that was set up five months ago, with a capital of 50,000 leva, buys assets priced at 320 million euro, what commitments does it assume to the Bulgarian electricity transmission network and to Bulgarian national security?" The Socialist leader was adamant that the Left has a clear position: "The State must have a role in strategic sectors important for its security, economy and development like the energy sector. Let them not try to accuse us of favouring nationalization. We favor the market economy and the opportunities it offers: the Bulgarian State can buy CEZ for 320 million euro."