Bulgarian PM 'Under Huge Pressure' for Auditing Power Utilities
Lobbying circles in Bulgaria and Europe are exerting enormous pressure on Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov over the auditing of power utilities, in Borisov's own words.
Borisov gave a news conference Sunday together with the head of the State Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (DKEVR) Angel Semerdzhiev, presenting the preliminary findings of the audit report of the three power utilities - Czech company CEZ, German E.ON and Austrian EVN - that he commissioned in April over allegations of excessive electricity prices and other violations.
"What we are doing right now will get us in a lot of trouble. Enormous lobbying circles are exerting huge pressure on me and the government - there are articles in Western media, statements by Ambassadors whom I respect very much that are telling us that new democracies have to learn their lessons. I think that I have learned my lesson from Chancellor Angela Merkel that nothing has to be hidden from society. That is why the State Commission must keep no secrets," Borisov declared.
He explained that some parts of the audit report will be provided to the National Revenue Agency which will inspect the taxes of the power utilities.