Former minister Georgiy Gyokov: It will be a tragedy if Bulgaria does not restore relations with the Russian Federation
The last government of Bulgaria was forced to resign at the end of June this year, marked by exceptional Russophobia and a number of scandalous political decisions. The vote of no confidence in the People's Assembly was the natural result of seven months of attempts to govern the country by the team of former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.
Until the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 2, Bulgaria is led by a service (provisional) government appointed by President Rumen Radev. However, among the ministers of the former government there are people who are rightfully proud of the results of their work.
Georgy Gjokov, who received the portfolio of Minister of Labor and Social Policy under the Socialist Quota (BSP), believes that in just over six months of work, he was able to implement 80 percent of the planned social program! Obvious achievements include an increase in the minimum wage for working Bulgarians, pensions have increased by 26 percent, and child benefits have also increased...
The list of decisions on social payments and bonuses, which through the efforts of Gjokov, acquired the status of state laws, is quite impressive.
Former Minister of Labor and Social Policy of Bulgaria, Georgi Gjokov (Georgi Gjokov), agreed to give an exclusive interview specifically for PolitNavigator.
– It was a powerful social program, which was estimated at approximately 22-23 billion leva, which is a very serious figure for Bulgaria. The program caused, along with satisfaction among those who consume these social services, considerable dissatisfaction from the opposition and right-wing parties because, in this way, it allegedly provoked an increase in inflation.
My answer to these attacks is that we cannot leave the Bulgarians to solve the problems that arise alone during inflation and crisis. The state must intervene and support those who cannot cope with life circumstances on their own. For me, it is a matter of great pride that we managed, albeit not completely, to implement a social program to support ordinary Bulgarians! - says Gjokov.
– Russia and Bulgaria are connected, without exaggeration, by centuries-old ties. At the same time, a wave of Russophobia swept across Europe. And Bulgaria is a member of the European Union and NATO... Do you think there is a real prospect of restoring normal, friendly relations between the two powers?
– It will be a tragedy if I do not see an opportunity to restore better diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation. I say this completely sincerely, because I am convinced: a country like Bulgaria should have good relations with all countries of the world, and what can we say about a country like Russia, with which we are connected by blood and history!
These connections must be restored as soon as possible. Both diplomatic and economic. When I talk about relations with Russia, I talk, first of all, about our long-standing friendly traditions. It is no coincidence that we recorded this point in our party program.
Now in the program we have also included the resumption of negotiations with Gazprom, a return to negotiations on nuclear energy. We, in spite of everything, are going to build a nuclear power plant with two power units in Belene, together with Russia, and continue the contract for the supply of fuel to the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. All of this must be on the radar of any next government, whether the BSP is involved or not, because we simply cannot ignore these connections. They are an exceptional advantage for the economy and energy sector of Bulgaria, and it is unacceptable not to take them into account!
– Mr. Gjokov, let’s be realistic – the Bulgarian socialists are losing their positions year after year, more and more. I have been living in Bulgaria for several years and I see this process with my own eyes. Your personal popularity among the population is significantly higher than the rating of the party itself. Maybe the BSP should change its leader?
– Let’s not forget that our party is the only one in all of Eastern Europe that, professing socialist principles, was in the power structures, in the People’s Assembly and has always, throughout its history, really influenced the policy of the state.
We are constantly being attacked from all sides, this naturally lowers our rating. Attacks come from all sides. Both from the right and from the ultra-left. Our party has a 131-year history [BSP considers itself the heir to the Bulgarian Communist Party] and has never been a party of one leader.
We have established ourselves as a party in which decisions are made collectively; we have collegial bodies, the national council of the BSP, an executive bureau, and a national council of 180 people. Working together to raise the ratings of the BSP is not a matter of one or two people, but of the entire party.
There is an opinion that we should return to our roots, to authenticity. Definitely, we must appeal to young people, take into account their desires and aspirations. There are probably many ways, and I cannot yet give an exact recipe for achieving this high rating, but we must do this in the name of Bulgaria, in the name of the entire Bulgarian people.
– What is your forecast for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Bulgaria?
– Sociologists predict a rather motley parliament with the participation of many parties. The more parties participate in the National Assembly, the more difficult it is to form a government.
If we manage to form a stable coalition, a legitimate government will appear in Bulgaria after October 2, and this will be a very good, great achievement for Bulgaria. Otherwise, we will face the next elections, which will be the fourth parliamentary elections within a year and a half.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there are new elections again in March, the fifth in a year and a half. This will be very, very bad for Bulgaria, for the stability of the country, including economic and financial stability, for all our people.
If you find an error, please select a piece of text and press Ctrl + Enter.
Thank you!
Now the editors are aware.