site.btaCaretaker Labour Minister Ademov to Prioritize Fair Elections, Helping Most Vulnerable

Hasan Ademov took over as caretaker Minister of Labour and Social Policy from Borislav Gutsanov at a ceremony at the Ministry on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the caretaker government of Andrey Gurov was sworn in before the National Assembly.

Assuming the post, Ademov said that the caretaker cabinet's first priority is to ensure fair and transparent early parliamentary elections. "I will be absolutely uncompromising towards any attempts to use social policy instruments to influence the citizens' choice," he said, pointing out that this has happened before. "Every report and case will be investigated, and if anyone is found guilty, appropriate measures will be taken," he underscored. He said he was convinced that everything possible would be done to overcome this shortcoming.

The main dissatisfaction among citizens is the lack of fairness, and this is reflected in the policies of the Social Policy Ministry, Ademov also said. "Since it is impossible to achieve 100% fairness, we will strive for less injustice," he specified.

Another priority is to try, in the absence of a 2026 state budget, to use the opportunities offered by the operational programmes to continue what has been started and to help the most vulnerable, said Ademov. According to him, in the winter period, after the introduction of the euro, the feeling is that the most vulnerable are people with low incomes and the socially disadvantaged.

Taking a question about the "ugly practices" regarding social assistance that are occurring in some places, Ademov said that the Ministry would engage the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria.

When asked about pensions, Ademov said pensioners are guaranteed to receive what is stipulated in the Social Security Code. From July 1, pensions granted until the end of the previous year will be updated according to the Swiss rule.