There were errors in the structuring of the Recovery and Resilience Plan from the very beginning. There were incorrectly formulated requests, lists of companies that were declared close to the PP-DB. In addition, only one payment had entered our country. The second payment was refused by the European Commission. Tomislav Donchev came into an extremely unfavorable situation, but now the government has managed to fulfill 58 out of 59 milestones and request the second payment, which is expected to arrive. This was said by Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Plugchieva in "Offensive with Lyubo Ognyanov" on NOVA NEWS.
She pointed out that the money we will receive is important for many projects in the country, including energy ones. And she added that it is about 440 million euros under the PVU, and a request has also been made for the third payment of 1.6 billion leva.
The former Deputy Prime Minister expressed hope that our country will not end up with a new caretaker government, because this leads to instability.
The Anti-Corruption Commission
Plugchieva believes that through the Anti-Corruption Commission, the representatives of the PP-DB have “planted bombs” in the PVU, and now they are additionally filing complaints to the European Commission related to the fight against corruption. According to her, this complicates the chances of receiving the funds.
According to her, “it needs to be seen whether a compromise option can be found for a neutral Anti-Corruption Commission that would be recognized by the EC”. And she added that otherwise we should be aware that we will lose some of the money under the PSU.
The budget deficit
Plugchieva does not believe that the budget deficit can be compensated by the end of the year. “Expenditures are more than revenues”, she added.
Capital expenditures will probably be cut in order to meet the 3% deficit criterion for entering the eurozone, Plugchieva believes.
Plugchieva pointed out that the German economy has been stagnant for five years, and has been in recession for three years.
“The great expectations that were associated with the new government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz have not been justified. The 2026 budget will include social reforms, but also an increase in taxes. Debt servicing will be the third item in Germany's budget. These are worrying data. In addition, there is a lot to be done regarding migration policy and all the holes in social spending. Huge amounts of money are being spent there, and unreasonably so,” the former deputy prime minister explained.
And he added that there is a need to reduce migration, social spending for migrants, and what is currently being proposed is being accepted as cosmetic changes.
”The opposition in Germany also offers alternatives, unlike the one in Bulgaria”, Plugchieva further explained.
"Lukoil"
Regarding the decision adopted at first reading in the National Assembly on the sale of "Lukoil" assets, Plugchieva believes that this was at the insistence of Brussels. The reason - there is a decision for EU member states to present an action plan regarding the suspension of imports of Russian oil and gas.