Bulgaria Regional Development Minister Defends 'Secret' Bonus

Bulgaria's Regional Development Plevneliev (right) showed EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Samecki around the Sofia Metro. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Regional Development Minister, Rosen Plevneliev, has defended the giving of a bonus salary to the Ministry's employees as a stimulus measure.

On Wednesday, the Socialist MP Rumen Petkov announced the Regional Ministry had given out additional bonuses despite the proclaimed emerging budget deficit and financial issues.

“If we want to achieve progress, those people who work with EU funds and are expected to unlock the highway projects will have to be paid more than just BGN 450 per month,” Plevneliev said Thursday.

“The Socialist cabinet was the one to squander all money, and left us with huge deficits. They did not comment on that. My political cabinet does not have five deputy ministers, seven advisors, and a number secretaries. The money came from our savings,” the Regional Minister explained.

In his words, the bonus salary cost the Ministry BGN 350 000. At the same time, the expenses for the Minister’s cabinet were only BGN 280 000 per year, compared to BGN 550 000 per year for his predecessor, Asen Gagauzov.

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