Vigenin: The state should show results on containing prices and profiteering even before the euro is introduced

“The institutions are ready for the introduction of the euro, the organisation is in place. The question is to give a clear and practical answer to the concerns of citizens about the change of currency. Profiteering and price rises cause people the greatest worry. Every institution has to be transparent and active, and results have to be seen even before the euro is introduced. The building up of tension is being taken too far, while the state has mechanisms to deal with inflation and to create conditions in which the purchasing power of citizens does not fall.” This was stated by the head of the Delegation of Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament and member of the BSP Executive Bureau Kristian Vigenin on bTV. He believes everyone can contribute to this process of preparing for the introduction of the new currency, and gave the example of the EuroConverter app, whose creation he supported: “Practical, simple steps are needed that will make people feel calmer in everyday life. The app is not a revolution, but it is useful, for example for elderly people who go to the shop and can see the price of a given product in leva and in euro right there and then. This is my modest contribution, but this is how we can help, in a simple way.” Kristian Vigenin also noted the fact that since yesterday Bulgaria is no longer the poorest country in the European Union, and that place is taken by Hungary.

On the topic of the report on the progress of the Republic of North Macedonia towards the EU, Vigenin called for the provocations of Prime Minister Mickoski to be taken calmly, but with firm defence of our national interest. “He has staked everything on anti-Bulgarian rhetoric and stubbornly refuses to meet the commitments already made on including Bulgarians in the constitution of North Macedonia. The Macedonian prime minister Mickoski is creating a parallel reality and is holding his country back from joining the EU. Bulgaria has to have a clear policy towards the Republic of North Macedonia and the Bulgarian point of view has to be firm and visible, because in history the facts are the facts,” the MEP commented.

Kristian Vigenin, who is a member of the BSP Executive Bureau, judged that the socialist ministers are working successfully and delivering results: “We are managing to push through laws that are important for citizens. The question is how far this will, purely politically, lead to a rise in trust. That remains to be seen, but for the moment it is not happening, there is a stabilisation of support for BSP. We have to weigh our steps in government very carefully. It is obvious that compromises have to be made, but the question is how long they should continue and in what way. There is calm in BSP now. Active conversations on the governing topics are being held in the structures.”

On the resignation of the co-leader of We Continue the Change Kiril Petkov, Kristian Vigenin believes this may have a cleansing effect on the party, but that this blow to PP-DB in practice deprives the government of a constructive and effective opposition, because the other opposition parties are extreme and loud.