If we look realistically at what is being offered to us as an alternative, I can say that I am extremely worried. We already know the alternative to GERB's lean pizza. The alternative that Mr. Radev is offering us is new for Bulgaria and proven to be non-working. What he is offering us is the alternative that Orban proposed in Hungary. Let's switch back to Russian gas and oil, because they were supposedly cheaper and de facto our entire economy should be directed towards cheap labor and cheap resources. This was stated by the chairman of "Continuing the Change" Assen Vassilev.
"If we look at how this thing has become Hungary in the last 4 years, we will see that Hungary's GDP by the end of 2025 is almost at the same level as at the end of 2022. That is, they did not budge with inflation that was significantly higher than Bulgaria's and became the last in household income in the entire EU. This policy has proven not to work", he pointed out.
"In order for incomes to increase permanently and debts not to increase, there are 4 components. The first is to have well-educated workers. However, our big lag, compared to Europe, is along 2 other lines. One is that each Bulgarian worker works with much less machine equipment. On average in the EU, one worker has 20,000 euros of machine equipment. On average in Bulgaria - 14,000. In Romania - 17,000. That's exactly why a Bulgarian worker, when he goes to Germany, can defend a higher salary. Because he can produce more output with the skills he already has," he added.
Vassilev also commented on the party's key priorities related to the efficiency of the state administration and support for young families.
"The other main problem we have is what part of our common money is used effectively and what part is either used ineffectively or is directly stolen. This is where the whole conversation about Bulgarian institutions, about the size and quality of the state administration comes in. We have a proposal to reduce the number of ministries from 20 to 12. Even people who work in the administration know that there are some people who stand by and do nothing, and a small part of the entire administration actually outsources all the work. It's better for this small part to be well paid, and the other part not to be there. If we want Bulgaria to truly develop, we must not only make young people want to stay here, but also want to come back. This goes through healthcare, good hospitals, education, good schools and good incomes for these people. The phrase "young families" is almost nowhere to be found in other political programs. For GERB it is somewhat understandable, for Mr. Radev's party - less so. I have already said about the increase in the tax relief for parents, the tax discount. In December, January you receive 300 euros per child. We want the amount to be 600 euros. It is normal, looking at the standard of living. If a mother returns to work, she should receive her maternity leave in full, so that she does not have to choose whether to work or stay at home. This is also good for the employer, because the woman returns to work earlier without being disqualified. It is also good for the family. It is also good for the budget. Currently, if a woman goes on maternity leave, the employer continues to pay for health insurance. This is the reason why many employers do not want young women at work. Just as the state takes over health insurance for students, pupils and pensioners, it is normal for us that these health insurances should also be taken over by the state", said the chairman of "Continuing the Change".