The airwaves were clogged with fanfare and fierce elbowing over who brought us into the eurozone earlier and with greater merit. I wonder why those in power do not go down to the streets to celebrate this event with the Bulgarians, but rather laugh them off the screen. This was stated by President Rumen Radev from the Krumovo airbase.
"The government is clearly in a hurry to boast and ask for congratulations, because it knows very clearly the truth about the hole in the budget and that it is failing to control prices. Borisov and Peevski are using the eurozone as an argument to consolidate their power, while at the same time the PP-DB supports this government, which is pressuring and dealing with their mayors.
An important decision, such as the introduction of the euro, which affects all of us, taken without a national consensus, is a strategic mistake with long-term consequences. This decision was made without consulting the people and further undermines the already thin trust in the institutions," Radev said.
"It is clear that the institutions are not ready for the introduction of the euro from January 1, 2026. If there is any sabotage against it, it is the lack of adequate measures to counteract the unjustified increase in prices, to protect the purchasing power of Bulgarian citizens and the lack of vision on how we will build an economy that is compatible with the countries of the Eurozone - with high added value and competitiveness. This is a serious strategy that should have been ready by now and for which there should have been concrete steps, but such are not visible," he added.
"Since the end of 2024, the liquefied gas terminal near Alexandroupolis has not been operating and significant quantities of gas are being imported into Bulgaria through the contract with “Botas“. At the same time, the most brazen lies continue to be told that the contract is not being used at all, but only fees are being paid. Who do these lies serve?
I welcome the desire of the investigative authorities to conduct an inspection of the contract, but for it to be complete, let them also conduct an inspection of the lost profits under this contract. Why don't we sell gas to other countries through it?
I finally expect an answer to the question of why we continue to import Russian gas – a favorite pastime of several governments that stubbornly want to wage war with President Putin every day, but import Russian gas through intermediaries. An answer is also needed as to why 10 days after in September 2023, in my presence and in the presence of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the directors of “Bulgargaz“ and the Hungarian company MVM CEEnergy signed a memorandum and began preparing a contract for the supply of gas to Hungary through this capacity, the “assembly“ voted for an energy tax that drove away for a long time both the Hungarians and the Serbs who were waiting to conclude such a contract.
Tales of corruption related to “Botas“ are flowing frivolously even from the parliamentary rostrum. I sincerely hope that the people who are speaking realize that they are groundlessly accusing the Turkish side of corruption.
I definitely believe that the attack on the caretaker government for the contract with “Botas“ has political motives and is also directed against me. The contract is not being used in the most appropriate way to import gas into Bulgaria, nor to sell this capacity abroad, nor is it being renegotiated in this situation. The Turkish side, seeing all the hysteria that is rising here, including against “Botas“, is also concerned about the image of its state-owned company. The Turkish side is ready in this situation to provide even better conditions, but there must still be some political will on our part, as well as competence on how to do this,“ the president also said.