Vladislav Panev: The ultimate option for the budget is to once again extend its current version from 2022

Iva Ivanova

"I don't feel worried by Boyko Borisov's words that if there is no government - there is no budget, because in the end, long-term reforms in every area of life are more important, especially the judiciary and the competitiveness of the economy, because this raises incomes, and not something else'. This was stated to 3eNews by the deputy chairman of the parliamentary group of Continuing the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, Vladislav Panev. According to him, not having a budget is not such a big problem.

"Some ceilings will explode in June-July, which means that there will be no funding for municipalities, etc., but putting the knife to the bone, we will be able to look at an extension of the budget for 2022, which is more simplified procedure", the deputy suggested.

According to his forecast, inflation for 2023 at the end of the year will be 7-8%. I gave this forecast back in February last year when the average inflation was 15-16% and in the budget it was set higher, but I think it can go down to 7-8%, looking at things, because there is nothing on top anymore to further increase inflation," he said.

As arguments, Panev pointed out that the prices of raw materials on international markets are practically collapsing and specified: "Natural gas in Amsterdam today is 30 euros per megawatt hour, its peak in August was 350 euros. That's a drop of more than 91%. The prices of oil and all other raw materials are also falling." Panev also pointed out that our farmers are protesting against the import of cheap agricultural products from Ukraine and said: "All this says that after the prices of basic raw materials fall, there are two options - either traders increase their profit margins, which, however, cannot to happen in a competitive environment, or at least not very much, or inflation will fall. And we're seeing that actually both of those things are probably going to happen and that's going to continue as a trend."

Asked to comment on why there is almost no drop in retail prices, Panev assured that retail prices are holding back. "Yes, Bulgaria has a serious problem with food prices, as we have the form of several retail chains that control a huge part of the market," the economist pointed out. "For this purpose, the state must take measures, but not invest in a site to monitor food prices, but increase competition," he emphasized.

The actions of the state to ban the import of agricultural products from Ukraine are in the exact opposite direction, he pointed out, convinced that imports should be facilitated on the other hand and our farmers should be protected, but it should also be taken into account that they have received huge subsidies over the years, at least the big grain producers, added Panev.

Competition should be encouraged and the CPC should act more adequately and more seriously. he is categorical.