„A serious economic crisis is looming. We must emphasize a very serious economic program to stimulate and support the Bulgarian economy. One of our key words for 2025 should be industry. Industry, industry, production, stimulation and support of small and medium-sized businesses, especially“.
This is what Cornelia Ninova said to Radio Focus today, emphasizing that this crisis comes from Europe, especially from our main trading partner Germany. „Germany has entered a recession – for 2024, they are at minus 0.2%. Factories and enterprises are closing there, it has started to come to us too. You know that several factories in Bulgaria that are subcontractors of German companies have closed. But this is only part of the problem, because I think the crisis will be more comprehensive“.
In the conversation about the necessary measures, Ninova recalled: “When I was Minister of Economy and Industry – you know that then we came in first place in industrial production in Europe. We developed a plan that we could not complete because the government fell. But I say one very basic measure: to reduce the administrative burden“, Ninova pointed out. She emphasized that there are over 200 regulations, decrees, instructions, methodologies that businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, must comply with. In her words, some of them are absolutely meaningless, they only burden them. Half of them should be removed – "it is a serious measure in support of small and medium-sized businesses and the middle class," said Cornelia Ninova.
She also cited tax breaks, support for opening businesses in regions that are lagging behind in their development, tax breaks for young people who stay and hire them. “There are many specific measures that can be quickly implemented and will quickly have an effect. Separately, there is a large macroeconomic program for the reindustrialization of Bulgaria, which already requires strong political will and agreement in parliament and the executive branch“.
In the conversation about the budget: “What will happen from January 1? Electricity is being raised between 9 and 10%, the price of natural gas is being raised by 9-10%, the price of water is being raised, which in some regions reaches 6 - 6.20 leva per cubic meter. The price of bread is rising by 30 stotinki, the price of cigarettes, alcohol due to the increase in excise duty. The social security burden is rising, which affects all workers. Most municipalities have announced the increase in local taxes and fees. The increase in electricity and natural gas will make all goods more expensive“, Ninova pointed out and summarized:
“We have a serious increase in the goods and services needed by every family. At the same time, tax rates are not changing – the richer pay a higher tax, the poorer remain on this tax or have a non-taxable minimum. This is one of the big problems of the budget – a serious increase in the cost of people's lives, without a change in tax policy and assistance on the other hand. I think this is unfair and anti-social“.
On the other hand, according to her, there are no economic measures to stimulate and develop the economy, for growth in the gross domestic product. “For the last 20 months, Bulgaria has had a decline in industrial production, in exports, foreign investments for 2024 are 76% down compared to 2023. At this time, you are burdening the people, the workers, you have no incentives for economic development. So, what do you expect, except a deepening economic and social crisis? In order to have social measures – there must be a working economy“, commented Kornelia Ninova.
The political conversation: “This is not a parliament – this is a marketplace. Voters, consciences, morality, business are bought and sold, they bargain: “how much are your voters worth – two seats in the regulatory bodies, mine are worth two ministerial seats, mine is Sarafov's head“. If they agree on how to distribute regulators, ministers, prosecutors – they will do something. If they don't agree – we will go to elections“, said Kornelia Ninova.
According to her, however, on a larger scale, more statesmanlike view, what is problematic: “All kinds of boundaries are being crossed in the name of power, and not in the name of the people. Today I heard Tatyana Doncheva say: BSP, who fought against the “Borisov“ model for 10 years, today they will fight it together with Borisov himself. Okay, Tanya, you are inside this coalition, tell them why you are doing it. Isn't that why you united? Maya Manolova wants a tax on banks – okay, but they are getting together with GERB, who don't want it? So they are supposedly a left coalition, now they are going out, criticizing each other, at the same time they are entering into negotiations with the mafia, with the “Borisov“ model, Kornelia Ninova also pointed out.
And he added categorically: “The meaning of my personal participation in politics was and remains to eliminate the “Borisov“ model, which is evil for Bulgaria. Do you see how he is breaking up and playing with everyone? He is currently breaking up PP-DB, grabbing DB and separating them from PP. He has put the last party on his belt as a scalp – BSP. We were the only ones who fought this model. Now there are no more boundaries, the BSP is going to negotiate with the backstage and becoming part of it. Despite the decision of the congress, despite the will of socialists. In the name of personal, of power, of office - Borisov to save his skin, for others to take some post, some public procurement. This must be put to an end. This political model is exhausted“, pointed out Kornelia Ninova.
“A party that is not for sale – because there is currently a very savage trade for posts, for money, for influence. A party that is faithful to the people who sent it to parliament, that does what it said before the elections, does not renege on its promises, without traders inside who would use it for their business purposes. A party that is a representative of rebellious people and that has principles“.
This is how Cornelia Ninova, in response to questions in the studio, outlined the profile of the new party that is ready to build with like-minded people. And when asked how the different party is made today, she said:
“Mostly with the right people – people are the most important in a party, especially in the situation that Bulgaria and the political class find themselves in today. People who are not dependent, have no commitments, who cannot be pressured and blackmailed into betraying their voters, brave people, rebellious – who do not agree with what is happening to our lives and are ready to fight, who do not enter politics to protect and multiply their wealth, companies, public procurement, but are ready to work for others. This is the basis of every meaningful party, this is what I am trying to do right now“, she pointed out.
Kornelia Ninova highlighted causes such as justice, national sovereignty and national interest, security – starting from the borders to our everyday lives, in malls, on the streets, in our homes, family values, knowing that we are man and woman, not parent 1 and parent 2, with working people and the middle class at the center, fighting inequalities, Bulgarianness, Bulgarian culture. “But all of this is about to be clarified soon in a very clear, short and categorical program“, she specified.