site.btaUPDATED Prime Minister Zhelyazkov: Currently There Is No Alternative Governance to This Cabinet

"There can be no other governance except this cabinet, led by GERB, nor any alternative policies different from those currently being implemented.," said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov during a forum of the GERB Youth Organization in Plovdiv.

"On one hand, the political landscape appears very stable because we have a political coalition that manages to overcome its internal differences, with a clear program and vision for the country throughout this cabinet's term, and with parliamentary support from a majority that shares the same values," noted the Prime Minister. These values include a market economy, parliamentary democracy, Bulgaria in Europe, Bulgaria in NATO, and Bulgaria grounded in values, he added.

"On the other hand, we are facing clear opposition aimed at revolutionizing the political landscape and destabilizing the government," Zhelyazkov said. According to him, the current debate isn’t about whether there is an alternative but about the direction in which Bulgaria is headed.

The Prime Minister said that populism will always find fertile ground. "However, our role is to look further ahead—toward the Bulgaria we want to build," Zhelyazkov said, emphasizing their commitment to making Bulgaria the most successful country on the Balkan Peninsula.

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov said that the inflation rate projected in the government’s macroeconomic program is 3% for this year.

He noted that current inflationary pressures are primarily affecting the "entertainment," "restaurant," and "hospitality" sectors — all of which are seasonal businesses. Zhelyazkov questioned why Bulgarians, in an attempt to escape high prices in leva along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, are choosing to go to Greece where prices are in euros. “Let the opponents of the euro answer that question,” the Prime Minister challenged.

“Always look at who benefits from Bulgaria not adopting the euro,” Zhelyazkov said. According to him, there are 30 billion leva circulating in the economy — held in people's homes or in their bank accounts — and these funds must be brought into the economy and converted into euros.

The Prime Minister also noted the existence of a "shadow segment" that is very concerned about this conversion, yet will inject funds into sectors where supply is limited — a situation that would inevitably drive prices up. Zhelyazkov explained that when a massive amount of money is poured into the market, it inevitably affects inflation.

He emphasized that one of the major challenges facing the government is the need to clearly explain these economic processes. “Your role — as ambassadors of information, analysis, and knowledge — is precisely this: to explain to people what the analysis shows and what the solutions are,” Zhelyazkov told the GERB youth members.

Bulgaria managed to save the funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which had not been utilized for four years. 

Zhelyazkov clarified that these funds had been essentially written off due to the country’s political instability - a situation even the European Commission was not prepared to accept once they saw the renewed efforts to implement the required reforms. “Reforms which, through legislative changes and effective law enforcement, we are now successfully carrying out,” he noted.

Zhelyazkov added that during this period, Bulgaria has managed to increase foreign direct investment by nearly 50%. According to him, during the same period last year, FDI amounted to about 900 million leva, while it currently stands at 1.5 billion. He also noted a 15% increase in tax revenues over the same timeframe.