“We Continue the Change” – “Democratic Bulgaria” Presents Management Program for Second Mandate with Focus on Schengen, Eurozone, and Fighting Inflation

Photo: Dimitar Kyosemarliev, Dnes.bg

Coalition “We continue the change” – “Democratic Bulgaria” is ready with its management program, in case of failure of the first mandate.

Bulgaria’s entry into Schengen and the Eurozone, the fight against inflation, the implementation of all delayed conditions and measures under the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan (NRSP) and a change in the approach to the selection and financing of regional projects. These are the main priorities in the management program of the coalition “We continue the change” – “Democratic Bulgaria”.

If it receives support, the PP-DB government will do everything necessary for Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area already this year. The introduction of a complex of anti-corruption measures (including a mechanism for the investigation of the chief prosecutor), a reform of the structure of the security services and strengthening of border control at the external borders due to increased migrant pressure are planned.

In order to be able to enter the Eurozone no later than January 1, 2025, budgets for 2023 and 2024 will be adopted with a 3% annual budget deficit and stable government spending, without excessive borrowing of government debt. There will also be a large-scale outreach campaign to address existing concerns and disprove misinformation.

The fight against inflation is directly related to the entry into the Eurozone. The PP-DB coalition confirms the commitment made in its pre-election program: to introduce real control over unfair commercial practices and artificial price increases for consumers by activating the commissions for the protection of competition and for the protection of consumers – to fight against the fuel cartel and unjustified the high jump in the prices of basic foodstuffs. The policy of ending the energy monopoly of external suppliers of electricity and natural gas for Bulgaria will continue. Accessibility, transparency and predictability of electricity and natural gas prices for consumers and businesses will be ensured.

Bulgarian agriculture will become a national priority, the production of Bulgarian food will be supported through more targeted subsidies for small and medium-sized producers. At the same time, control over the appropriate use of subsidies and against abuses will be strengthened. It will also work to shorten supply chains to reduce transport and storage costs and eliminate the need for middlemen.
PP-DB aims for Bulgaria to receive the second payment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Both a possible regular cabinet of the PP-DB and the parliamentary group of the coalition will make every effort to pass the delayed laws and other measures related to the NPVU.

The selection and financing of regional projects will be carried out in a new way. An instrument worth over 2 billion will be created. BGN for municipal projects and a predictable and objective methodology will be adopted for their evaluation. Before being granted by a decree of the Council of Ministers, the projects will have to be defended before the competent committee in the parliament. This will ensure maximum publicity and transparency in the expedient use of financial resources for municipalities.