site.btaSocial Minister Visits Blagoevgrad, Warns against Use of Welfare Programmes for Voter Manipulation

Caretaker Labour and Social Policy Minister Hasan Ademov warned on Thursday that Bulgaria’s social system has at times been used to influence voters, emphasizing the need to prevent such practices ahead of upcoming elections. Ademov spoke during a visit to the St. Petka Home for the Elderly in Blagoevgrad.

"This is our fourth meeting in Bulgaria’s six planning regions," he said, noting that his Ministry employs over 8,000 people in its regional offices. "What we want is to make sure the tools of social policy are not used in the election campaign, that is, for controlled voting," he added.

Ademov said services such as hot meals, home care, and assistant support could be misused to exert pressure on beneficiaries to vote one way another. He urged all Ministry staff to report any interference or attempts at controlled voting, warning that "there will be zero tolerance if we receive information and evidence of such practices".