In connection with the 15 million leva allocated for salaries in the capital's public transport and the upcoming protests in other cities, the MP from "Vazrazhdane" Iskra Mihaylova commented that the problems with public transport are not only in Sofia.
Problems with public transport
"It is very good that a problem is being solved, it is very good that people receive decent wages, but how is it decided - which people are more worthy and which are less worthy? When such problems are solved with state aid, this should be done on a general basis, covering the entire country, without segregation based on cities, municipalities or other bad criteria that put a large part of Bulgarian citizens in an unequal position. After all, Sofia is not Bulgaria", Mihaylova told "Denyat ON AIR".
She expressed the opinion that the situation in the capital could lead to a domino effect, since many Bulgarian citizens have the right to fair wages and decent working conditions, and the problems with public transport have been accumulating for years and have not been solved systematically.
"Unfortunately, at the moment what GERB is doing again looks like a serious staging, supported by the unions. They are obviously working very well in a huge symbiosis with GERB, especially the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions. This is temporary, short-lived - someone comes out as a savior, but in reality the problems remain both in the country and in the future, and in a year these problems will come to light again", emphasized Mihaylova.
The need for a referendum on the euro
The MP also commented on the topic of entering the Eurozone, pointing out that "Vazrazhdane" has been insisting for years on holding a national referendum on whether Bulgaria should adopt the euro.
"Since 2018, "Vazrazhdane" has been making progress and systematic steps to hold a referendum in Bulgarian society on whether to adopt the euro and enter the Eurozone or not. We believe that public opinion has repeatedly shown through statistics, the media and in various situations that Bulgarians are rather negatively disposed towards entering the Eurozone. In that case, we are obliged to continue our fight until the end for holding such a referendum, so that Bulgarians can be asked and express their opinion", Mihaylova was categorical.
Regarding the upcoming protests on May 31, the MP noted that she expects them to be peaceful, organized by various public and intellectual groups, and aimed at expressing Bulgarians' dissatisfaction with the current government's policy.
The uncertainties surrounding the liberalization of electricity
Mihaylova also commented on the topic of the liberalization of the energy market for household consumers.
"Liberalization comes into effect on July 1 of this year, and the EPPs, which will supply electricity to consumers, will be compensated with funds from the electricity system fund. For example, if you have an electricity bill of 300 leva, you will pay 300 leva, because the difference between the compensation between 300 leva and the amount purchased from the exchange segment (the new market that is currently being created and has not yet worked and has not been verified) will be compensated by the fund to the ERP. That is, for a certain period of time you will not feel that you are on the free market, because this happens between the fund and the ERP, but you will actually be on the free market", Mihaylova concluded.