Kristian Vigenin: We are the guarantee that nobody will lose out from the adoption of the euro in Bulgaria

“We have to stop holding the discussion for or against the euro, because it is already clear that the euro is coming. We need to start holding the discussion – on how to make the transition smooth and easy for everyone. How to make sure that, as​ ​ part of the eurozone, we take maximum advantage, so that Bulgaria becomes richer, and Bulgarian citizens too.”This was stated on Darik radio from Strasbourg by the head of the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament KristianVigenin. He pointed out the fact that there is no case of a country ​ ​joining the eurozone and becoming poorer, nor is there a case of the incomes​ ​​ ​ ​of citizens falling. Usually incomes rise and countries become richer.

The MEP also answered the propaganda that with the adoption of the euro we lose sovereignty, because we give up important national symbols: “Nobody can take Levski and Botev away from us. Nobody can take our victories away. And exactly which currency we pay with is hardly the most important thing. Besides, the euro is the most stable currency at the moment. Bulgaria is becoming part of the group of the most developed European countries and that should give us additional national self-confidence, not take it away.”

Kristian Vigenin emphasised that through their participation in government the socialists are a guarantee that they will not allow Bulgarians to become poorer. “The state, through its structures and institutions, has to watch carefully what happens. And if the analyses show that there are certain social groups that are to some extent disadvantaged or gain less than others from eurozone membership, the necessary compensatory measures have to be taken. These are usually the people with the lowest incomes. But the state has its mechanisms for dealing with this, through raising the minimum wage, the minimum pension, and pensions in general, and granting additional social benefits“, the MEP commented. He believes it is also time for a new tax policy, such as progressive income taxation. “Thereare many mechanisms for redistributing wealth so that social divisions close rather than widen further. We will watch this very carefully “, Kristian Vigenin concluded.