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BSP financial expert Rumen Gechev suggested freezing MPs’ salaries so that more money could go to people with disabilities. PHOTO: 24 hours
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“It must be adopted urgently so that we have security and the ministries work,” he said
l In two days, however, parliament managed to vote only on the macro framework and loops
And the war did not startle the deputies, and despite the Prime Minister’s calls in this crisis situation for Bulgaria not to be left without a budget in order to be able to take on the new challenges, the financial framework stalled in the plenary hall. Only a few of the 115 paragraphs were adopted late Thursday night.
For 14 hours of debate a day earlier – on Wednesday, elected officials managed to vote only the first member with the macro framework of public finances. Until 4 pm yesterday, the debates were sluggish. They were then suspended so that, after long quarrels, the National Assembly could adopt a joint declaration on what was happening in Ukraine. Then for the second night in a row the parliament
stopped the clock
until the adoption of the state budget at second reading, but until late last night it was not a fact.
The lack of an estimate of the state’s finances, especially in the context of an impending crisis, will make it difficult to make any expenditures after the end of March – until then, by law, it is allowed to spend according to the 2021 budget.
The only thing the opposition can do at the moment is to be constructive and adopt the budget today, because we must have security for each of the ministries how to work, said Kiril Petkov after the government meeting. He called for “instead of practicing excessive PR, everyone should sit in parliament and act as corporately as possible.”
However, only Rumen Gechev’s proposal to freeze the salaries of the MPs caused excitement in the hall. “To redirect policy funds to people with disabilities. The proposal was signed by the 4 parties in the ruling coalition and concerns the assistance that the National Assembly can provide to the most vulnerable part of Bulgarian society – people with disabilities, “he said. It is motivated by the savings that the parliament makes in its budget.
The idea caused confusion and President Nikola Minchev had to take a 20-minute break. “We are moving forward, Rumen Gechev’s proposal did not gather the necessary support,” he announced after the resumption of the meeting. Prof. Kostadin Angelov from GERB insisted that the head of the National Assembly announce unequivocally whether the proposal was accepted or not. Since he did not receive an answer, he ironically replied with the same phrase (used by Kubrat Pulev after the knockout by Klitschko): “We keep going ahead…”.
Unexpected support at this tense moment came from the MRF. The MP and former Finance Minister Petar Chobanov said that the spending of the savings that the parliament will make is not necessarily reflected in the budget. On the contrary – it mixes two budgets: the Social Security and the state. “Right at this moment, do not create dramas and problems where there are none. “Even more so at a time when it is very important to have a budget so that we can support businesses and households, if necessary,” Chobanov urged. After his intervention, the cabinet’s proposal without the Gechev amendment was accepted by 158 votes in favor.
Budget deficit of 4.1% with COVID package
and 2.6% without it, growth 4.4%, inflation 5.2% and about 5% unemployment, new debt of BGN 7.3 billion, of which BGN 3 billion are for refinancing the old, as well as 4, The adopted macro framework envisages BGN 5 billion in the fiscal reserve. In its project, the cabinet also focuses on maintaining tax rates, increasing the minimum wage and pension, as well as social payments.
There are over 120 proposals for redirecting money from the budgets of some institutions to others, which are to be discussed and voted on. The Minister of Finance Asen Vassilev estimated that the total value of these ideas is over BGN 2 billion, in addition to the planned costs. Probably only the redirection of BGN 20 million from the budget of the judiciary to BAS and BGN 5 million for unprofitable bus lines in intercity transport and in mountainous areas will be accepted, thus the amount for this will reach BGN 55 million.
This year alone, food vouchers are expected to be able to pay household electricity and water bills.
From April 1, the interest tax falls, and the weekend tax will be halved.
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