09.01.2013

\"We have ended 2012 better than projected - instead of spending a deficit of around BGN 1.1 billion, we have spent a deficit of around BGN 360-370 million and that is why we have around BGN 750 million in the fiscal reserve. This allows us to avoid making new debt and to increase income in certain sectors in the meantime\", said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Simeon Djankov in an interview for the morning programme of Nova TV.

The Minister assured that the income increase planned in the 2013 budget would become a fact by the end of this month. He also projected that the salaries of teachers, people working in the sphere of culture and in the army could be increased in February or March. \"There will be no increase in allowance for maternity leave at this stage, but I am open for a dialogue with mothers. This issue has currently been solved by planning to build kindergartens. Policemen have already had an increase in their salaries so no adjustment there is envisaged. There is also an increase in salaries in the healthcare sector especially for nurses, said Minister Djankov.

According to him, the referendum will probably cost around BGN 20 million. \"My personal opinion is that this is money thrown away and it is a pity that it will be spent without having the desired effect\". This is how Minister Djankov commented on the topical issue about the coming referendum on the future of the nuclear plant. He also commented on the current situation concerning VMZ Sopot. According to him, the issue could be solved by privatizing the plant, for the state should not be in charge of productions not related to its tasks. We have been working for a couple of weeks now upon a programme for alternative employment of the people working in the plant, said Minister Djankov and once again reassured that funds would be allocated for activities and sectors that had a clear vision of the investment to be made and the results to be achieved.

Minister Simeon Djankov ensured that the 2013 budget would be performed and that budget performance data would be published periodically to this end. The reason behind is that the ruling party GERB is preparing for a second and even a third term of office.