site.btaUPDATED GERB Leader Borissov Comments on State Budget Situation

GERB leader Boyko Borissov told journalists on Wednesday that the legislative programme is currently focused on the state budget. He pointed out that there is a huge hole of BGN 18 billion in the budget and now the government must try to fill it.

He also commented that with people being so on edge, any changes to social payments would be a disaster for the government, because people "were lied to for four years that Bulgaria works more, earns more and therefore receives higher pensions and salaries". "In other words, we are forced to continue this policy," said the GERB leader.

Borissov also noted that between the first and second reading of the budget, he made a commitment, as GERB leader, that VAT for restaurateurs would remain 9%, and promised that GERB will insist on this.

Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) have repeatedly criticized the GERB-led government for lacking a legislative agenda. Appearing on bTV on Monday, Ivaylo Mirchev MP of CC-DB said that GERB had promised to show them a legislative agenda within 10 days from the swearing-in of the Cabinet and 11 days later they have not yet done so. “The question is whether it is a good idea to give the 100-day honeymoon to these people even though they don’t have a legislative agenda yet,” Mirchev said.

When asked about Democratic Bulgaria’s (DB) criticism that the coalition agreement is not being respected, Borissov replied: “They are not part of this agreement, whether it is respected or not, it is none of their business.” 

Asked about the appointment of Vladimir Malinov as Executive Director of the state-owned company Bulgartransgaz EAD, Borissov replied that as far as he knows, the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission is deciding on this issue. GERB does not have a single member there, he noted.

Regarding proposals for deputy ministers, Borissov said that these are decisions within the powers of the Prime Minister. “I have no concern with this issue,” he pointed out, adding that the proposals of the formations in the government will be made when “we are sure that we can protect the budget.” Borissov specified that this is GERB’s opinion and assured that the adoption of legislation under the Recovery and Resilience Plan will be accelerated. He also noted that the time has not come to cut back on the administration: "We have that option, but we'll do it later".