Asen Vasilev: Mr. Valchev, don't use my name so often, you will make it dirty

At the moment when the inflation criterion is covered, Bulgaria can enter the Eurozone. This was said by the resigned Minister of Finance Asen Vassilev, who was present in the plenary hall during the debates on the draft decision related to the Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), which proposes not to redistribute dividends from the company, BTA reported.

In his speech on the occasion of the draft decision, Krasimir Valchev (GERB-SDS) criticized the financial policy led by Vassilev, pointing out that thanks to it the deficit increased and the collection of revenues decreased, with which he distanced Bulgaria from membership. "There is no other person who has done more against our entry into the Eurozone than Mr. Asen Vasilev," said the MP.

"Mr. Valchev, don't use my name so often, you will make it dirty," Vassilev replied. 2021, the year to which you refer, it was I who published the Plan for the adoption of the euro, in the office of President Rumen Radev, headed by Stefan Yanev. After that, the second cabinet never moved the plan in question. The plan in question, despite the opposition of colleagues from "There is such a people" in the person of Mr. Karimanski and their ministers in the administration, was adopted by ten to eight votes in 2022, May, Vasilev pointed out.

According to him, the decision then passed, precisely because he personally, "We continue the change", "Democratic Bulgaria" and the ministers sent out by them believed that they should continue on the path to adopting the euro. We managed to achieve a budget deficit below three percent, as needed, even though we made the biggest increase in social payments for sure in 25 years, and even though we made some of the biggest investment programs, also in 25 years, Vassilev pointed out.

The budget deficits were below three percent, and this is not achieved by magic, this is achieved by collection, Vassilev addressed Krasimir Valchev. We raised money and these funds managed to increase pensions and free kindergartens and increase salaries and administration, managed to reach a record investment program if you look at this year's budget and a record investment program for municipalities, which has never been done in the history of our country, regardless of party affiliation, without having to kiss the hand of any leader, by right to have an investment budget for your municipality, Vassilev added.

Regarding the Eurozone, Vasilev noted that they managed to complete the legislative program, which GERB in this period failed after they voted against the introduced Insurance Code. This was key for Bulgaria to fulfill one of the conditions for our acceptance into the Eurozone, Vassilev commented.

At the moment, only one law remains - the Law on the introduction of the euro, which has already been released for public discussion and which must be adopted as soon as there is a specific date, Vassilev added. Last but not least, we managed to find political support for such a decision, he added and recalled the Council's conclusions that we will be accepted into the Eurozone at the moment when the only remaining criterion - inflation - has entered the framework. The moment the inflation criterion is covered, Bulgaria can demand the report and enter the Eurozone, he said.

"In the press conference, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that Bulgaria will enter the Eurozone in 2025, Vassilev pointed out in response to Grozdan Karadjov from ITN.

"I am here today to try to protect you from adopting another unconstitutional decision. I am not sure that I will succeed, but at least I have to try", said Asen Vassilev in response to the criticism of Krasimir Valchev (GERB-SDS), who wanted to know why the minister was in the plenary hall, after it was announced that will not have the opportunity to participate in parliamentary control.