Bulgaria GERB Ministers Strongly Disagree on Budget Measures

Bulgaria's Finance Minister, Simeon Djankov (l), and Social Minister, Totyu Mladenov, voiced strong disagreement on budget measures. Photo by BGNES

A serious exchange of words strained Tuesday relations in the Bulgarian cabinet of the ruling GERB party.

The Ministers of the Citizens for European development of Bulgaria (GERB) party, Simeon Djankov for Finance, and Totuo Mladenov for Social Policy and Labor entered a heated argument about the budget and the changes Djankov wants to impose.

Mladenov stood firmly against Djankov's idea to increase retirement age in the country , which the Finance Minister has been lancing lately.

On Monday Djankov announced that the retirement age for Bulgarian women could be increased from 60 to 63 years as early as 2010, to become equal to the one of men.

Mladenov defined the measure as dangerous, especially in times when the Bulgarian economy is suffering the negative effects of the global crisis, while Djankov countered with: “In times of crisis there is no money in the budget. If Minister Mladenov wants funds for all of his social programs, then he must say where do we get them from.”

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!