All Bulgarian officials on political positions have returned the first part of the bonuses they received in 2011, according to Rumyana Bachvarova, PM Boyko Borisov's Chief of Staff.

An official announcement on how many officials have given up on their bonuses will be released after Wednesday's Council of Ministers sitting, Bachvarova clarified in an interview for the private Btv channel.

She refused to mention specific names or sums. However, she hinted that no ministers or deputy ministers will have to be fired because of failure to return their bonuses.

Bulgaria's government has been recently rattled by bonus scandals, with former National Health Insurance Head Neli Nesheva and Violeta Nikolova, former Executive Director of Bulgaria's Registry Agency, both removed after it was revealed they received hefty bonuses in times of austerity.

Last week, Boyko Borisov, gave an ultimatum to all ministers, their deputies, heads of political cabinets, regional governors and their deputies to return or donate by Friday all bonuses they have received.

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