„We need an expert government. The crisis in our country is unprecedented and unforgettable. Let all parties have a high coalition and parliamentary culture in order to lead the country out of it”. The leader of the BSP lists said this on the air of BNT – UNITED LEFT in 24 MIR Atanas Atanasov. He expressed hope to form a majority that stands behind priority areas such as economy and energy, which the BSP has advocated in its program.
Atanasov commented: “At a time when others are dividing, we are uniting. This can't help but bring us success in the elections as well”. He emphasized that the left-wing coalition presents a new pre-election program for the accelerated development of Bulgaria, including 100 solutions for every single sector affecting Bulgarian citizens. According to him, it was prepared for nearly two months by experts from all parties in the union.
„One of Bulgaria's main problems is that we are witnessing the collapse of the welfare state. Can we say that everyone has equal access to health care, to education, to quality social services?“, Atanasov asked. The socialist commented that they are guaranteed by the Constitution of every Bulgarian citizen, but today there are entire territories that are deprived of access to health care. According to him, unfortunately, things are not better in education either – schools are divided into elite and non-elite, money follows the student and children move as if they were a commodity. “We are looking for solutions to these problems in our program. We will try to reach every single person and familiarize them with our solutions. We want to show that another Bulgaria is possible," he stressed.
Atanasov said that together with Prof. Yanko Yanev, a candidate from the list led by him, they organized today a round table on the topic of energy, which will be attended by experts from the left such as Elenkov Bozhkov, Tasko Ermenkov and many others. “This sector most clearly shows the failure and incompetence of the GERB and PP-DB governments. A strategy for sustainable energy development of Bulgaria must be prepared, he explained and recalled that “Heating” – Sofia has over BGN 2 billion in liabilities and the accounts have been frozen. The socialist was adamant that there is no way to work piecemeal in energy - while parliament after parliament talks about whether we should develop our nuclear energy, Turkey is building four power plants. According to him, the construction of the "Belene" NPP should be resumed. and not to waste any more time.
„Excluding hydropower plants, where the resource depends on nature, Bulgaria's only energy from its own resource is the Maritsi. Energy is an element of our national security and guarantees our sovereignty, we must keep that in mind, he stressed. According to him, there can be no competitive economy without stable energy.
Atanasov explained that another important aspect for the development of our economy is foreign investments. “We have to ask ourselves why foreign investments do not come to us, since we have a 10% flat tax, which is a tax haven in Europe. Investments and the economy are a mirror of everything happening in the country. When our educational system is not capable of producing personnel, when there is no rule of law and we are champions of corruption, no one will invest in us," the socialist was categorical. According to him, it should be clear that the state has a place in the economy. “We are in a competitive environment. Our neighbors win investors with government support, tax breaks for creating new jobs and guaranteeing markets. Before the rightists repeat the mantra that the state has no place in the economy, let them look at some of the most market-oriented countries in the EU, such as Germany. It is precisely with such measures that investors are attracted there”, the socialist gave an example.
Atanas Atanasov explained that in the ranks of the BSP – UNITED LEFT has many young and new to politics faces, who are, however, well known in their parties for their expertise. He shared that he has been a member of the BSP for 13 years and has walked every step of the way to the leadership position. “The left has always been strong when there is continuity between generations. When needed, I always look for support and experience from my more experienced party members. This is the right path for the development of any party – for her to rejuvenate“, he also said.
In conclusion, Atanasov urged everyone who wants to live well and develop in a modern and social Bulgaria to vote with number 28 in the upcoming parliamentary elections.