Nikolay Denkov: The budget will have a deficit of up to 3%, without raising taxes and with preserved social payments

"Based on what we currently see as calculated expenditures in the budget, Asen Vassilev has assured me that he will be able to keep all social payments, there will be no increase in taxes and he will present a budget within up to a 3% deficit. Additionally, he will there are some payments that are related to new policies, and yet the deficit will be within up to 3%". This appealed to the Prime Minister of the BNR, Nikolay Denkov, and emphasized that the government's number 1 task is Budget 2023 and preparation of Budget 2024.

He specified that the finance minister stated that the funds have been secured and that pensions will be increased by 12% from July 1.

"Political attacks must be distinguished from the expert essence", the prime minister was categorical and emphasized that the state treasury is not empty.

According to him, there will be less spending of funds in capital expenditure because there is not enough project readiness, and these expenditures will be less than the budget provided by the caretaker government.

"The budget will provide for capital expenditures by region, we are creating a large fund of about BGN 2 billion, which will be provided to the municipalities, so that they can prepare for the winter, make repairs. Two new funds will be created - in the field of sport and in the field of culture. This is not replacing funds, but adding new funds to the existing ones in the system so that activities that are systemically underfunded can be developed. There are policies that we will put in place immediately, but let's the ministers to hold talks about this with the finance minister first," announced the Prime Minister.

In connection with the return of Rumen Spetsov as head of the NRA, Prime Minister Denkov stated: "He has been appointed again for one reason only. The first time he was in this position, he managed to secure more than BGN 7 billion above what was planned in the budget. His role is to re-tighten all the leaks in the budget so that the funds can be collected and the payments secured. These leaks may be related to business interests and therefore there will be attacks against him. Also, against Mr. Mr. Spetsov was checked, which ended with the conclusion that there is no problem with him. Now there is a very active chief prosecutor, if they want to check again, if they say there is a problem, we will discuss. But then the check ended with the conclusion that there is no problem with him. If Mr. Spetsov does not show the results expected from him, a better specialist will be sought."

The selection of members of the regulators should be by a procedure that is transparent, the nominees should be discussed publicly in the parliament, seeking a solution not through a hidden quota principle, but presenting individuals who can get public support and consensus support from the parties, Denkov pointed out.

In the program "Sunday 150", the Prime Minister also commented on the upcoming election of a new Bulgarian European Commissioner: "We have not yet received an official letter in which the expectations of the European Commission will be described. We do not know what the responsibilities are. Nominations are proposed and accepted by the Council of Ministers. and since the support for the cabinet comes from GERB-SDS and PP-DB, there will obviously be discussions".