Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov. Photo by BGNES
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has claimed that his centrist-right GERB party "loves" the city of Pernik that was jolted by a strong quake in May, unlike the left-wing Bulgarian Socialist Party.
"GERB's love for Pernik is worth BGN 1 M, BSP's (love) is worth BGN 15 000," Borisov observed at the latest Council of Ministers sitting, referring to taxpayer money.
He estimated that GERB has set aside a further BGN 700 000 from its state subsidy to help those affected from the earthquake, bringing the total sum to BGN 1 M.
He told EU Funds Minister Tomislav Donchev that he should "explain that to people" at local meetings.
Donchev was sent to Pernik in August to control the spending of money allocated for damaged buildings.
A 5.8-magnitude earthquake shook the Pernik area on May 22, damaging buildings in the city and in several other communities.
The Bulgarian government has so far allocated BGN 16.6 M for repair works in all affected communities, local media say.