„BSP needs radical reforms. Decisive and categorical steps are needed to return the party as a leading factor in political life, and not to be a party on the brink of survival.“ This was stated by the Bulgarian MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, Christian Vigenin, to Darik radio. He added that the BSP cannot get out of the current situation, „if we pretend that nothing has happened“. According to him, the protests in the country were large-scale and the energy from the first day showed that half-hearted actions will not calm the tension. According to him, it was right to give a chance for a new perspective through elections, because citizens, especially young people, want a different policy, and whoever cannot respond to this request will remain outside the political scene.
Vigenin noted that the resignation of the government on the eve of joining the eurozone and for the cabinet to leave without an adopted budget is not a good practice. However, he reassured that the institutional mechanisms guarantee sustainability: “The National Assembly is not dissolved and, if necessary, can make responsible decisions, and the other institutions work with their full mandates and powers.“ The MEP called for more responsibility and assured that there is no reason for concern about the process of introducing the euro.
On the topic of prices, Vigenin stressed that “two leva should not become two euros“ and in such cases, people should report. “Just as an income of 1,000 leva will become 500 euros, so a price of 2 leva should become 1 euro – with some rounding“, he pointed out and called for there to be no abuses and misleading of citizens. The MEP reminded that on his initiative young programmers developed “Euroconverter“, which facilitates calculations and includes calculation of change, which is useful in the period when payments will be made in leva and will be returned in euros. He added that even now many people use it when converting values from one currency to another.
According to Vigenin, membership in the eurozone is more of a formal step, since the lev has been pegged to the euro for years, but it brings important benefits: more transparency, predictability and facilitation for business and tourism. “The big challenge is for the country to actually take advantage of the opportunities – easier access to resources, investments and partnerships, which employers' organizations have been demanding for years. The next government and parliament should focus on national measures that complement European efforts to simplify rules - reducing the administrative burden, digitalizing governance, easier interaction between business and the state, and real reforms that support catch-up economic growth and increasing incomes,“ the MEP emphasized.
Christian Vigenin also commented on the war in Ukraine, noting that the very fact that serious diplomatic efforts are finally being made for a ceasefire and lasting peace is positive - unfortunately, after hundreds of thousands of human casualties. According to him, there is now a clearer idea of what the problem points are and a compromise solution is being sought, with which no one will be completely satisfied. He stressed that Ukraine must receive security guarantees and a prospect of future EU membership, and Europe must realistically assess its own resources and commitments.
On the topic of artificial intelligence, Vigenin said that it will change the economy and society and that those who successfully implement it will have a serious advantage. He reminded that the EU has adopted the first legislation of its kind - the Artificial Intelligence Act - which creates a framework for the development of technologies and at the same time protects people. The MEP pointed out that restrictions have been introduced in the EU against practices such as monitoring workers and selecting job candidates using artificial intelligence. He warned that there is pressure for deregulation and loosening the rules for access to sensitive data, including health data. According to him, simplification initiatives such as the so-called “Digital Omnibus“ may weaken the protection of personal data and the security of citizens. “The goal must remain clear: technologies that serve people, not the other way around“, he concluded.
To contact the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament: https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/
