Bulgaria's Budget Deficit Reaches 1 Billion Leva by February's End
At the end of February, Bulgaria’s budget recorded a deficit of 1 billion leva (500 million euros)
The so-called Financial Stability Pact, involving amendments in the Bulgarian Constitution, was approved by the ad hoc parliamentary committee devoted to it amid opposition protests.
The pact was defended by its mastermind FinMin Simeon Djankov, who argued that it will ensure recovery and stable growth for the country.
The Financial Stability Pact includes enshrining the following rules in the Bulgarian Constitution: a qualified 2/3 majority in parliament for changing taxes in Bulgaria, a 2% limit to the budget deficit, as well as a 40% of GDP limit for redistribution.
Ognian Stoichkov from nationalist party Ataka argued that such measuers are not fit to be constitutionally enshrined, and further that they could adversely affect areas of public spending such as education.
"The Stability Pact dooms Bulgaria to persisting and long-term poverty," argued Bulgarian Socialist Party MP Yanaki Stoilov, who saw it as a continuation of the neo-liberal policy which according to him had brought on the financial and economic crisis to start with.
Fellow socialist Rumen Ovcharov argued that the move by the center-right GERB cabinet and MPs lacked any reasoned substance and was just a piece of pre-election fireworks.
Aliosman Imamov from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms argued that it is not clear how the pact will affect the income of people and confessed of an overall skepticism of the project, saying his fellow MPs will abstain from discussions.
Ekaterina Mihaylova from the Rightist Blue coalition partly agreed with the proposal, but argued against the introduction of qualified majority for changing the tax system.
"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.
I feel no moral guilt towards anyone. This was stated by Kiril Petkov, answering a question whether he would apologize to the Bulgarian people for violating the Constitution.
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