site.btaJoint Governance Council Says All Pension Increases Will Apply Swiss Rule

After consultations within the Joint Governance Council, it has been decided the budget bill, which will be submitted by the Council of Ministers to the National Assembly, will have an increase in pensions from July 1 applying the Swiss rule for all pensioners, GERB-UDF Deputy Floor Leader Denitsa Sacheva told a joint briefing with the government formations on Wednesday. She added that the 3% deficit target would be maintained and the eurozone would continue to be a priority.

"It is obvious that the significance of the task and the difficulties that have to be solved within the framework of this budget are not sufficiently understood by the opposition [...]  We want to show our social and public responsibility and accountability to the common money of the country," Sacheva said.

"We want to reassure everyone who thinks there are any problems in our shared governance that we are more united than ever and will bring forward a budget that will get the support of everyone involved in this shared governance," she underlined.

Earlier on Wednesday, GERB-UDF Floor Leader Boyko Borissov explained to the media in the National Assembly that according to the draft budget, which he had read, there is an option for the lowest pensions to be raised according to the Swiss rule and for the rest as a percentage of inflation.

BSP - United Left Floor Leader Dragomir Stoynev thanked the partners of the Joint Governance Council - There Is Such a People (TISP), GERB-UDF and Democracy, Rights and Freedoms(DRF) - who have shown understanding for the tensions over the pension increase. He argued that his parliamentary group is the social guarantor in the ruling majority.

TISP Deputy Floor Leader Stanislav Balabanov described the forthcoming budget bill as "an antidote to the toxic financial policies of [Continue the Change Co-Chair] Assen Vassilev", because of whom this complex configuration of political parties has now come together to find a mechanism for Bulgaria to go in a different direction. He added that this majority must walk the path to a full term in office.

DRF Floor Leader Dzhevdet Chakarov said his political force believes this is the fair and right approach to pensions. "From the perspective of our constituents, knowing that many of them are pensioners from the vulnerable group, we also support the strategic objectives presented to our country," he added.