“Hungary Shows the Way”: Vassilev Links Mass Vote to Removing Borissov and Peevski

Speaking at a public meeting in Pazardzhik, “We Continue the Change” leader Asen Vassilev warned that a new external shock linked to Iran could trigger another major economic crisis, with direct effects on energy prices, food costs and vulnerable households. He argued that the key policy response should be to ensure that incomes rise faster than inflation.

“Another severe crisis is looming because of Iran. It will again follow the same path - the price of electricity, the price of food, and will hit the most vulnerable people in the country,” Vassilev said, adding that “the solution must again be for incomes to rise faster than inflation.”

He recalled earlier crisis periods, particularly in 2022, when the “Petkov” government faced surging prices for energy, gas, fertilizers and food following the war in Ukraine. According to him, that period led to increased pensions, including two separate rises for the lowest categories, aimed at protecting those below the poverty line.

Vassilev also pointed to comparative income data, claiming that in 2024 Bulgarian households overtook Hungary for the first time in terms of income levels. He argued that Hungary’s economic model under Viktor Orban had left citizens poorer, linking this to continued reliance on Russian energy. “The most important thing is to buy the cheapest, not the most fraternal,” he said, describing this as the path to long-term economic improvement.

Turning to domestic policy debates, he criticized proposals from previous governments to limit pension increases to 5% instead of applying the “Swiss rule,” stating that his party had opposed such measures. He warned that pensions are again falling below the poverty line for a significant share of retirees, describing the situation as urgent ahead of the expected economic pressure from external crises.

Vassilev outlined PP-DB’s broader social and economic priorities, including higher employment quality, stronger family support measures and expanded tax relief for children. He recalled that child tax relief had previously been increased significantly and said the party’s goal is to raise it further to 600 euros, alongside proposals for extended maternity benefits and improved support for mothers of twins.

He also focused on healthcare spending, arguing that costs have risen sharply without corresponding improvements in services. According to him, public healthcare expenditure has increased from around 4.5 billion leva during the Covid period to nearly 11 billion leva, while patients continue to face additional out-of-pocket payments.

He proposed tighter control mechanisms in the system, including digital notifications for medical procedures and better oversight of billing practices, as well as improved salaries for medical staff and reduced patient co-payments. “We currently pay the most for healthcare in Europe… yet healthcare has neither improved nor become cheaper,” he said.

Vassilev concluded by linking political change to voter participation, arguing that higher turnout could reduce the influence of Boyko Borissov and Delyan Peevski in parliament. He referenced Hungary as an example, noting that turnout there reached around 78%, while Bulgaria’s last election saw roughly 38%.

“If turnout reaches 65%, Borissov and Peevski will no longer be a factor,” he said, calling on citizens to vote in order to secure political change.