site.btaState Will Not Allow Pressure on Vulnerable Groups Ahead of Elections, Caretaker Social Policy Minister Says

The state will not allow pressure to be exerted on vulnerable groups ahead of the elections, caretaker Minister of Labour and Social Policy Hasan Ademov told journalists in Yakoruda, Southwestern Bulgaria. He said that a key priority for institutions is the organization of the upcoming early parliamentary elections and guaranteeing the free exercise of voting rights.

Ademov and Acting Chief Secretary of the Interior Ministry Georgi Kandev visited Yakoruda, Blagoevgrad Region, following reports of the social system being used for political pressure.

Ademov stressed that the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is committed to supporting vulnerable groups in the current challenging situation and to preventing the instruments of social policy from being used to influence the vote.

He explained that his visit to Yakoruda and the region was prompted by increasing reports of attempts to influence people receiving social support. "These people should be reassured that no one can deprive them of a hot meal, a personal assistant or support provided under European solidarity mechanisms," the minister said.

He added that in Blagoevgrad Region there are 5,420 personal assistants, including 142 in Yakoruda and 132 in Belitsa. Under the hot meal programme, there are 850 beneficiaries in Belitsa Municipality and 840 in Yakoruda Municipality.

According to Ademov, all these individuals belong to vulnerable groups and may be subject to influence from local figures, political parties or other actors.