site.btaCrisis Coordination Unit under Consideration with Participation of Key Control Bodies, Trade Unions Say

A crisis coordination unit involving key State control institutions is being considered, it became clear following a meeting between trade union representatives with caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov on Thursday, according to a Facebook post of the government press service.

Gurov told representatives of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) and Podkrepa Labour Confederation that proposals from different sectors are being analyzed by the relevant ministries, while the Finance Ministry is preparing calculations, with the aim of achieving a coordinated response with targeted measures.

According to Podkrepa Vice President Ioannis Parteniotis, the proposed unit would include representatives of the Commission for Protection of Competition, the National Revenue Agency and the Customs Agency to coordinate State actions in times of crisis.

The Prime Minister outlined government plans to address an expected deterioration in the economic situation, driven by international factors such as the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as domestic challenges, including operating under an extended budget.

Trade unions also proposed the creation of a dedicated crisis response fund, citing the recurring nature of crises over the past 15 years. Such a fund could be financed from the fiscal reserve and supported by the proposed coordination unit.

CITUB Chief Economist Lyuboslav Kostov said measures are needed to prevent a decline in purchasing power, noting rising prices, particularly for food. Proposed solutions include subsidizing public transport to avoid fare increases and considering price caps in retail, while ensuring that Bulgarian producers are not adversely affected.

He also stressed the need to support businesses facing high energy costs through targeted measures aimed at stabilising the economy.

Kostov added that the Prime Minister had committed to reviewing proposals from trade unions, businesses and other stakeholders and to presenting a broader, more targeted package of measures beyond limited financial compensation.

Earlier on Thursday, the caretaker Prime Minister met with representatives of industry associations in the agriculture and livestock sectors, as well as from the tourism sector.