site.btaBSP-United Left MP Gutsanov Urges Support for Budget Extension Law

Backing the budget extension law is mandatory because it affects everyone in Bulgaria, BSP-United Left MP Borislav Gutsanov told reporters on the sidelines of Parliament on Tuesday.

He said the current budget would expire in the middle of the election campaign and argued that anyone thinking about people should support the extension law.

Asked about the Easter supplements for pensioners, Gutsanov said the more support, the better, as pensions and the minimum wage remain low. He noted that the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy had proposed nearly EUR 60 million and said any additional support would be welcome.

Gutsanov noted that at the start of the year he had submitted a bill to make Easter and Christmas supplements a legal entitlement.

He said the bill also covered other vulnerable groups and noted that he had discussed it with GERB-UDF MP Denitsa Sacheva. He expressed surprise that the multi-fund model had passed quickly in plenary while the supplements bill had still not reached the agenda.

“Social policy must not be used in any way for an election or any other campaign. People are already living with difficulty, and whatever can be done should be done so that they feel the support of the State,” Gutsanov added.

Asked whether BSP would propose changes to the budget extension law or back it as tabled, he said the parliamentary group would discuss the matter. He added that the priority should be to ensure people feel State support in these difficult months.