No one has exerted political influence on me. I talk to all politicians, not only party leaders, but also ordinary people's representatives. I have never refused anyone a conversation on any subject. This is what he commented in “Why, Mr. Minister?“ acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev.
„The president and I only discussed in a dialogue the changes between my first and second official governments. I wouldn't call it pressure. The idea was to defuse tensions and hold peaceful elections. Unfortunately, it didn't happen that way, he added.
„I strive for the official government of Dimitar Glavchev to be in the interest of the Bulgarian citizens and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the country. Everything else is speculation," commented the Prime Minister.
„I don't feel like easy prey. From the fact that I am not an easy prey, most probably also stems from the desire not to be in the next caretaker government. You see, miracles happen just by changing the procedure for a caretaker government. Both the first and the second time – "I didn't become acting prime minister with a particular desire," Glavchev said.
He indicated that they wanted to speed up the process of getting a party headquarters. “To avoid speculation – if you mean Mr. Delyan Peevski, he did not call me. Two politicians called me”, Dimitar Glavchev answered a question on the subject, but did not name names.
„The Council of Ministers cannot be an arbitrator. I may be chosen by a house book, but I am not a house manager. Let them solve their party problems and let any of them settle where they choose. We have given party headquarters to “Vrabcha“ of DPS“, the acting prime minister also stated.
According to him, in 2017, when he was the Speaker of the Parliament, the situation was different, even though there were minor conflicts even then.
Chance for regular office
Glavchev stated that he hopes to have a regular cabinet – and recalled that he had said so after the previous caretaker government.
„Unfortunately, we are witnessing a complete blockade of the National Assembly, I hope a way out will be found – to elect a president, and then to have a regular government. This is the most normal and natural thing, I can't understand why it doesn't happen”, pointed out the caretaker prime minister.
Election integrity and video surveillance
„I do not say whether the elections are fair or unfair – therefore there is a body that will rule, it has been referred. This is the Constitutional Court. I say the executive's job is done. These are absolutely the most vetted choices. There are 70% more reports to the Ministry of Internal Affairs that they have processed. "There were many more pre-trial proceedings and warning protocols," said Dimitar Glavchev.
According to him, a large number of people do not believe in the fairness of elections because they have witnessed what happens in the sectional election commissions – “thanks to video surveillance, which is the duty of the executive power”, he explained.
However, according to him, the competent authority must decide what we see from the records after all the facts and circumstances have been examined.
Dimitar Glavchev indicated that he was satisfied with Atanas Ilkov's work as interior minister in terms of the fairness of the elections and the fight against vote-buying, “since there are no established violations of which he is guilty”. And if someone had doubts about Ilkov's activities, they could have summoned him to the National Assembly for a hearing.
The new budget
„If the National Assembly does not work, this is the only way”, with these words the caretaker prime minister answered a question about whether there is a risk of entering the new year with the old budget.
He recalled that the framework is a 3 percent deficit, no tax rate increase, income increases, wage increases, retention of pension increases through the Swiss rule, retention of the covid supplement, and basic taxes will not be raised, will not insurance contributions will also be raised. Only the restaurateur's rate will be reimbursed.
„All salaries will be increased as an average. When the budget is submitted, there will already be specific numbers”, Dimitar Glavchev specified.
The war in Ukraine
„ Bulgaria, as a member of NATO, is prepared for any defensive response in case of any provocations. I am convinced that our protection is guaranteed, the acting prime minister said about the instability in Europe.
North Macedonia
Regarding our relations with North Macedonia and the proposals of the president there that the Bulgarians should be included in the Constitution after North Macedonia becomes a member of the EU, Glavchev stated that we have made enough compromises with our national dignity to make more compromises.< /p>
„Galaxy Leader“
The acting Prime Minister indicated that every effort is being made to bring the captured Bulgarian sailors home.
Schengen
“A lot of conditions were necessary. Already under the third government of Mr. Borisov, the criteria for the entry of Bulgaria and Romania into Schengen were technically fulfilled, only political obstacles appeared,” stated the acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev.
In his words, our reception now is not due to an improvement in the political situation in Europe, because on the contrary “we see that the times are turbulent”. And Bulgaria and Romania have done their job.
Dimitar Glavchev pointed out that compared to 2023, the pressure on the Bulgarian border with Turkey - the illegal attempts to cross it - has decreased by 70%. On the other hand, those who have already infiltrated in some way and were then detained have decreased by 46%.