Prime Minister: More than half of the measures in the government's programme will be implemented by the end of February

We expect more than half of the measures in the government's 18-month programme to be implemented by the end of February, Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov said in an address to the nation on December 6 on the occasion of 6 months since the cabinet took office.

More than 60% of a total of 687 measures will be implemented by the middle of the governance programme term, the Prime Minister pointed out and stated that the only sense for the government to work is if Bulgaria moves in the right direction - towards Europe, for the benefit of people and businesses.

"Exactly half a year ago, we took office with the clear awareness that we were meeting public expectations for a stable government that cares about people and businesses. We knew that we were facing entrenched problems, electoral populism, furious political attacks and misinformation. Despite everything, we showed that we are a team that can step back from political ambition and focus on people's problems," said Nikolai Denkov.

The Prime Minister pointed out that inflation has fallen to the levels before the war in Ukraine - in October 2021 it was 6%, while this October it is 5.8% and is the lowest in two years.

"For the first time, we introduced measures that guarantee permanently low prices for essential products. With the "Affordable for you" programme, the government also supported Bulgarian food producers".

The Christmas of 2023 will be better, because the prices of the main goods on the markets are below the levels of 2022 and with an even better perspective in the future, said Nikolai Denkov.

"Incomes are ahead of annual inflation. In Budget 2024, a new increase of 11% is set, times above the expected inflation".

The reform in justice began not in words, but in essence, commented the Prime Minister and pointed out that half a year ago, the control over the chief prosecutor and the anti-corruption commission was a "political utopia":

"This is also appreciated by our partners - Europe closed the monitoring mechanism and recognizes that we have all the arguments to be in Schengen. We are sure that Austria and the Netherlands are also aware of it".

For the first time, large-scale decentralization of municipal funds has been introduced - this time they will be distributed not according to party sympathies, but where there are building permits or design visas, Denkov said.

"In January, we expect the first medical helicopters, and before Christmas, new ambulances for emergency aid. We have given a real start with the financing of the project for the seventh unit of the Kozloduy NPP - this is an investment in our energy security and guarantees long-term lower electricity prices".

According to the Prime Minister, the investments in the economy in the new budget - over BGN 6 billion - have gone up by over 50% compared to last year.

"With this money, the business will become more competitive, produce more, offer more added value. Our common task is to make a transformation from an economy of cheap labour to an economy of high added value. The most important thing for us is the people, that's why in order to fight the demographic problem, in the budgets for 2023 and 2024 we have introduced a set of measures to encourage the birth rate and make raising children easier for parents," said Nikolai Denkov.