Bulgarian PM Makes Final Call on Sacking Methane Hike
There will be definitely no excise duty on methane in Bulgaria over the fact it would lead to a price hike of many other services which the country cannot afford in times of economic crisis.
The final decision of the cabinet was announced Monday for the media by Prime Minister, Boyko Borisov.
Borisov stated that the excise idea of his Deputy and Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov, was a good one, but cannot be currently realized over the crisis.
"This is why I have told all my ministers that when they think out loud this leads to horrible political conclusions," the PM said, adding he was ultimately responsible for the rule of the country and taxing everything would lead to a stronger budget, but also to impoverishment of Bulgarians.
Borisov confirmed the budget will be debated after the October 23 presidential and local elections and the possible runoff.
The plans were for the methane price to go up on January 1 over the introduction of the excise duty. The first estimates showed this increase will amount to BGN 0.7 per kilogram, which would lead to the increase of heating prices in the upcoming winter.
Djankov also said earlier Monday, just days before debates on the budget that the decision on methane excise has not been finalized and if "this is not the right moment, the excise could be delayed."
Borisov and Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, cut the ribbon of the repaired water-main network in the village of Gabra, the municipality of Elin Pelin, near the capital Sofia. The BGN 5 M funding was provided through EU financing./Source: Sofia News Agency/