Bulgaria's Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, declared the Finance Ministry would not be able to transfer money to the judicial system budget for Christmas bonuses.

On Wednesday, under the insistence of Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov, Djankov and Justice Minister, Margarita Popova, told the news to the members of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) and clarified the state of the budget deficit.

In the beginning of December, VSS slated BGN 24 M for Christmas bonuses for the entire judicial system, which were supposed to come from savings from the State subsidy and revenue surpluses. VSS members, themselves, were supposed to get 2 monthly salaries or an average of BGN 5 300.

The judicial system has its own, independent budget, but a major part of it comes from a State subsidy, which can be reduced when there is a budget deficit.

VSS issued a statement reminding the judicial system 2009 budget is BGN 352 173 000, 90% or 316 955 700 of which should come from the State subsidy. VSS further say they slated the money for the Christmas bonuses based on this budget and had not been informed about a looming reduction of the State subsidy.

The statement points out that no one within the system had received any bonuses; the salaries had not been increased, and no new positions have been opened.