site.btaUPDATED GERB Leader Borissov Says He Fears Looming War, Not Domestic Politicians or Criminals

“I have no fear of [President Rumen] Radev, [MRF-New Beginning leader Delyan] Peevski, or any criminal, but I feel primal fear of the impending war,” said GERB leader Boyko Borissov during his visit here on Saturday. He stressed that the international situation is extremely dangerous and that the risk of war is high. “If de-escalation between the United States and Russia does not occur this month, war will knock on our door. I truly hope that these adults will come to their senses and humanity will not be put at risk,” Borissov said.

Regarding the U.S. sanctions imposed on Lukoil, the GERB leader stated that they target the payment system, not the oil refinery itself. He expressed hope that the government will quickly clarify this to its partners and find a solution. According to Borissov, the main problem will be in payments at gas stations.

When asked about next year’s budget, Borissov responded that revenues will definitely be higher. Pensioners will receive over one billion leva more, and more than 1.2 billion leva are planned for salaries. Borisov emphasized that taxes will not change. “With tremendous effort, we are working toward a three percent deficit so that people are not hit by the first budget in euro,” he said. 

“If we had deserted and gone to early elections, it would have severely compromised Bulgaria in Brussels and with our partners, who gave us what we wanted in advance,” said Boyko Borisov, commenting recent political events.

“I am surprised—do they really reason so simplistically, are they really unable to understand basic maths? GERB, the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and There Is Such a People have 102 MPs. Two from BSP, who are people of Rumen Radev, do not vote—they are always ‘against,’ yet 121 votes are needed to form a government,” Borisov stated. He emphasized that he has made a commitment, both to Bulgarians and international partners, that the Government will not fall.

“After 27 years of monitoring our judicial system, Bulgaria was removed from that list. Of 40 measures, only three remain, and the goal is that by April-May we will also be removed from the gray list for money laundering, into which [Continue the Change leader] Assen Vassilev put us,” added the GERB leader.

Borisov also said that he has no fear of Delyan Peevski or MRF - New Beginning. “We invited their [Parliamentary] Group, explained our goals and tasks to them, and they said they are ready to support everything concerning the welfare of the people, without entering power. And so I bridged this, taking all the mockery directed at me,” said Borissov. According to him, however, there is no political class that truly appreciates this.

The GERB leader was in Razgrad to participate in his party's regional youth academy. Topics of the forum include European connectivity between Bulgaria and Romania, agriculture in Northeastern Bulgaria, and the role of sports in youth development. Besides Borissov, the academy also includes Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova, former MEP Asim Ademov – advisor to the Prime Minister, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Petar Mladenov, and Georgi Nakov – a member of the Romanian Parliament.