Bulgaria Ex-Interior Minister: GERB Is Giving Secret Bonuses

the Member of the Parliament from the Bulgarian Socialist Party and former Interior Minister, Rumen Petkov called Regional Minister, Rosen Plevneliev, a high caliber liar and cynic. Photo by BGNES

The employees at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works have received bonuses disguised as an additional reward for the upcoming Day of the Builder.

The Day of the Builder is celebrated in Bulgaria on Dimitrov Den, October 26.

The scandalous allegations were voiced by the Member of the Parliament from the Bulgarian Socialist Party and former Interior Minister, Rumen Petkov. Petkov further accused the Regional Minister, Rosen Plevneliev, of telling lies about the institution's poor financial state.

Petkov claims the bonuses were distributed under the table at times when the construction sector is facing mass layoffs, an act he defined as cynical.

“Plevneliev is a high caliber liar and cynic,” Petkov is quoted as saying, adding BGN hundreds of thousands were spent on bonuses in times of economic crisis. Petkov said he would apologize to Plevneliev if he can prove his allegations are untrue.

Last Friday, Bulgaria’s Finance Ministry announced that there wouldn't be any Christmas bonuses for state employees and retirees at the end of 2009, (known in Bulgaria as the “13th salary” or “13th pension” respectively), because of the emerging budget deficit.

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