site.btaDemocratic Bulgaria: Radev Government’s Programme Was Significantly Delayed

The government programme of Prime Minister Rumen Radev's cabinet was significantly delayed, despite the campaign slogan of Progressive Bulgaria being, "We are ready. We can do it," said Ivaylo Mirchev, co-chair of Yes, Bulgaria! and an MP from Democratic Bulgaria on Darik radio, quoted by the coalition's press office.

"This programme contains many phrases such as 'we will analyze,' 'we will develop,' and 'we will draft a strategy.' There are many aspirations, but no clear explanation of what will actually be accomplished," Mirchev said.

"We have a polished document to which each ministry has contributed a small piece. It contains 984 deadlines, yet it is unclear how citizens will receive 984 measurable results. Even the logo on the programme is the party logo of Progressive Bulgaria, rather than the national coat of arms," he added.

"If they genuinely intended to dismantle the oligarchic model in any meaningful way, they would have started with Georgi Gergov [a businessman close to Radev]," Mirchev said. "But nothing of the sort has happened. During the election campaign, they repeatedly promised to fight the Peevski–Borisov model, but nothing remains of those promises."

"Because, beyond judicial reform, that also requires reform of the security services, and there is nothing of the kind in the government programme. What we are seeing is the replacement of people associated with Peevski and Borisov with new figures linked to Koprinkov. From the appointment of deputy ministers to the heads of government directorates, it has been a long time since we have seen a prime minister's chief of staff effectively running the country instead of the prime minister himself," Mirchev added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the cabinet adopted a programme for government of Bulgaria until 2030. According to the government's press office, the programme's main objective is to build a modern, socially responsible, secure, and high-tech European state with resilient institutions, a competitive economy, and a long-term development strategy that ensures the well-being of its citizens, protects the national interest, and preserves Bulgaria as a strong, vibrant, and prosperous nation for future generations.

The Government Programme is structured around 20 key policy areas, each of which sets out priorities, measures, and expected outcomes.