I haven't seen such a lack of position from the Bulgarian government in years. We have adopted a policy of waiting for the storms to pass and silently complying with every decision of Brussels. Significant topics pass Bulgaria by. This was stated by Vice President Iliana Yotova to journalists in Sofia, reported by BTA. The Vice President emphasized that Bulgaria will be a full member of the European Union not when it takes the steps of the EU Treaty, but when its voice means something. “This voice must be forged here and then put on the table of the European institutions“, Yotova noted.
The Vice President pointed out that the Bulgarian state, represented by the Prime Minister, has no position on the issue of the tariffs prepared by the US on European goods and the European Union's response. “We have no position on the issue of Europe purchasing weapons from the US for Ukraine. We have no position on the European Commission's proposals for the new Multiannual Financial Framework of the Union, and two very sensitive topics for Bulgaria are at stake - the rural development program and the cohesion policy“, said Iliana Yotova.
When asked about the government's financial policy and the new debt taken out, the Vice President pointed out that this is indebtedness for generations to come. “The Ministry of Finance is silent about what loans are being taken out for. We also have reproaches from international rating agencies for excessive public spending. What is this money being spent on, given that incomes are significantly lagging behind price increases“, said Yotova. She emphasized that at the moment there are no real achievements in the price regulation process. “I notice a new fact - certain essential products disappear from the stands and then come with new higher prices“, said the vice president. She pointed out that the words of the finance minister do not reassure, but are based on anxiety.
Asked about the turn of events with the witness's testimony against the mayor of Varna and the allegations of pressure exerted on him by the Anti-Corruption Commission, Iliyana Yotova said that the questions are growing at a breakneck pace, and there are no answers. “This is an extremely big blow to the Anti-Corruption Commission, and also to the entire system on which we must rely for fair justice. That is why it is important and we expect their response. The people's protest is fair and all of us who are indignant are on the side of the law. We cannot say who is guilty and who is innocent. Other institutions should say that“, the vice president emphasized.
“In their euphoria over the adoption of the euro, the authorities did not want to read the latest report of the European Commission on the rule of law. It was suppressed. And the findings in it are alarming. They must show both the National Assembly and the executive branch that it is high time to take concrete measures and make working legislative changes“, said Iliana Yotova. She emphasized that we will succeed only when there are rules in the state.