GERB Strengthens Lead in Bulgaria as Eurozone Debate Fails to Shake Government Support
A new poll by “Gallup International Balkan” shows that GERB is holding onto its lead in Bulgaria, currently enjoying the support of 24.5% of voters
Most of Bulgaria's outgoing ministers have assessed their work in office as "positive" and have voiced warnings the next government would face a number of issues.
Economy Minister Dragomir Stoynev commended the government for having created 40 000 jobs in 2014's first three months.
In an interview with private channel NOVA TV, Stoynev underlined that the cabinet had managed to do "a lot", despite the deadlock in Parliament and high levels of resistance against the government.
"We did not allow a political crisis to be sparked in the country after the [European Parliament] elections and it was a good thing that we resigned. If we had not, [instability] would have spilled over to the economy. And there must be political stability if there is to be economic stability," Stoynev argued.
Interior Minister Tsvetlin Yovchev stressed he was leaving the institution conferred to him in a "better state" compared to what could be seen while GERB's government was in power.
Yovchev nevertheless admitted there was "a lot more to be done".
He added many of the actions of Prime Minister Oresharski's cabinet are yet to be appreciated "later".
Hasan Ademov, Minister of Labor and Social Policy, acknowledged that, despite a few measures that the cabinet implemented to help Bulgaria's poorest, the country remained at EU's bottom in terms of living standards and youth employment.
Foreign Minister Kristian Vigenin said government activities to attract EU aid needed to tackle the refugee influx and the combination of good contacts with the US and "open channels" for communication with Russia as positive developments that should be contributed to the BSP-DPS cabinet.
He warned, however, the next government would face a tough challenge from "prospective economic sanctions against the Russian Federation" that the EU might choose to adopt ant that "look more and more likely".
Plamen Oresharski's government stepped down after fourteen months of work on Wednesday, and lawmakers approved their resignation on the next day.
Brussels has unofficially warned Bulgaria’s Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova that the country’s euro adoption process could be suspended, according to BGNES, citing Nova TV.
"Everyone wants positions – in regulatory bodies and ministries," he emphasized.
Bulgaria’s toll system now has the technical capability to track average vehicle speeds, as announced by the National Toll Management following a meeting with Regional Development Minister Violeta Koritarova.
The income required to cover living expenses for a working individual and a three-member family with a child under 14 has remained almost unchanged compared to June, according to an analysis by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CI
The Council of Ministers has adopted a resolution to set the minimum wage at 1,077 leva, reflecting a 15.
Every 20 minutes, fire alerts are received from across Bulgaria.
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