site.btaGovernment Talks: Internal Security, Ecology, Regional Development, Culture

Sofia, November 25 (BTA) - On the third day of talks between Continue the Change, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), Democratic Bulgaria and There Is Such a People (TISP) on a coalition agreement, the four formations' experts discussed the sectors of internal security, ecology, regional development, and culture. The talks were live-streamed on Continue the Change's YouTube channel, Facebook page and on promeni.bg.

Internal Security

BSP for Bulgaria proposes that a full functional analysis of the Ministry of Interior be carried out within three to six months and used as a basis for the development of a new Ministry of Interior Act, and a new police map to establish permanent gendarmerie posts and equipment for patrol activity and response in the vicinity of three villages. Among the other goals set by the BSP for Bulgaria are to improve the training of Interior Ministry employees, to modernize the equipment and the physical assets, to establish regional criminology centres, and to increase the salaries of employees. The Socialists are also focusing on overcoming the migrant crisis, strengthening security at the state border and working for a new level of cybersecurity.

Continue the Change proposes that a Public Order Act be drawn up, which will apply not only to the Ministry of Interior, but also to other institutions and entities involved in security, in order to improve the work in the sector. According to them, a law on operational search activities is also needed. Improving the level of qualification of employees, their selection and development were highlighted as the main goals. Continue the Change proposes a discussion on whether Economic Police should not become a tax police and move to the Ministry of Finance.

The four parties eventually agreed that a functional analysis of the Interior Ministry should be carried out with the participation of the Ministry's political and professional leadership, the trade unions, the Finance Ministry and a representative of each of the four parties' parliamentary groups. Based on that analysis, the future partners will consider a new legal framework for the Interior Ministry's structure and functions.

Ecology

Democratic Bulgaria supports the idea of having a deputy prime minister for climate change. They want tighter control and increased sanctions for pollution sources, stimulating the use of renewable energy sources, and a review of the condition of the dams by the end of the year. The formation is against the creation of an incinerator in Sofia and proposes to study the possibilities for waste incineration in the Maritsa East 2 TPP. They propose the establishment of an environmental ombudsman institution, to be elected by the National Assembly, and a change in the regulations of the Ministry of Interior regarding zoo police.

TISP supports the idea for a deputy prime minister for climate change. They also expect the establishment of a climate council of politicians and experts. The party's priorities include an improvement of the water and sewerage system to put an end to water loss, urgent measures for air quality monitoring, electrification of public transport, simplified procedures for installation of individual renewable energy sources. Regarding waste management, the formation is behind the idea of recultivation of already existing or non-compliant landfills.

BSP proposes that a separate climate ministry be established to co-ordinate the work of all ministries involved in climate change policy. The formation also proposes a revision of the Waste Management Act to introduce incentives for separate waste collection and recycling. The party also proposes the creation of eco-industrial parks and the replacement of the fleet of state institutions for the purpose of environmental compliance. Another idea put forward by the BSP is a review of the activities of the Bulgarian Water and Sewerage Holding and the Management of Dams state enterprise, as well as a reform of the structure of the Enterprise for Management of Environmental Protection Activities.

Continue the Change considers the possibility of having a deputy prime minister for climate change in the future regular government. They propose the creation of a working mechanism for the removal of abandoned construction sites, mapping, and assessment of the state of ecosystems. Electrification of transport, green mobility, and stimulation of shared travel are also part of the priorities for CC. Regarding the unregulated incineration of waste, they insist on strengthening the control and imposing stricter sanctions on violators. The party is determined to show zero tolerance for corruption in the selection of projects in the sector. 

Culture

The culture sector's financing should reach 1.5 per cent of GDP, Vassil Gyurov of Democratic Bulgaria said, adding that this is a proposed medium-term measure. Democratic Bulgaria proposes legislation pertaining to all separate forms of art and artistic industries, a revision of the Cultural Heritage Act and the Radio and TV Act, as well as a new piece of legislation about the status of artists. DS/RY/MT/VE/MY