Bulgarians' Incomes Rise Sharply, But Spending Follows Close Behind
According to the latest figures from the National Statistical Institute, household incomes and expenses in Bulgaria continued their upward trajectory in 2024
Here is the stance of Head of State Rumen Radev provided by the presidential press office:
The coronavirus crisis already has dire social and economic implications. To reduce the gravity of these implications, the European countries implement a wide array of measures with the clear awareness that national prosperity and progress depend on their structure, range and promptness.
A month and a half after the state of emergency was introduced, the Bulgarian government is still failing to offer a clear and convincing program for a timely, accessible and free financial assistance. At the same time, ever increasing public funds are being allocated to tackling the crisis, and a colossal loan is to be taken out. By introducing the state of emergency, the executive branch of government assumed extraordinary powers for discretionary use of these resources. However, we should not forget that these funds should be earned and paid off by the Bulgarian nationals and businesses.
Therefore, there should be clear mechanisms ensuring transparency, accountability, efficient and responsible spending of public funds.
A public register should be introduced for reporting the money spent on fighting the coronavirus and a regular update of the expenditures, the criteria for their endorsement and the sources of funding should be made.
The state financial assistance should be banned for offshore companies and also for companies that have subsidiaries registered in offshore zones. Some EU member states have already adopted such restrictions, while in other their implementation is on the agenda.
It is high time that the long-term projects with funding secured for the years to come should be reconsidered. The necessary funds should be set aside so that the work on these projects is not stopped in the current year. The remaining financial resources should be channeled at overcoming the social and economic crisis. What is the point in having billions frozen in the next 3 or 4 years and at the same time taking out new loans involving interest payments?
A major investigation by France 24 reveals how European-made ammunition, specifically mortars manufactured in Bulgaria
Tsvetelina Penkova, First Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE), led a delegation of European Parliament members to Munich, Germany
Political scientist Prof. Svetoslav Malinov predicted that early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria are likely to be held next year,
Bulgaria’s Vice President Iliana Yotova has expressed strong criticism of the European Union’s enlargement strategy, particularly with regard to the Western Balkans
Experts have analyzed photos exclusively obtained by The Washington Post, which suggest that the explosions at a UN building in Gaza on March 19, which killed Bulgarian aid worker Marin Marinov
The political party "Greatness" is planning to submit a new vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s cabinet
Google Street View Cars Return to Bulgaria for Major Mapping Update
Housing Prices Soar in Bulgaria’s Major Cities as Demand and Supply Strain Increase