The feverish political week in Parliament finished with debates about police violence during the 2020 summer protests, demands by MPs for the eco-sticker on cars to be dropped (rebuffed by the Ecology Minister) and an announcement by caretaker Economy Minister Kiril Petkov that credits for at least 125 million euro issued by the Bulgarian Development Bank would not be serviced. In other news
Migrant centers overflow, Internal Minister expects Afghans to arrive at border
All Bulgaria's migrant and refugee reception centers are full, with more asylum seekers attempting to cross the border following the Taliban offensive in Afghanistan, caretaker Internal Minister Boyko Rashkov said.
All three camps - Lyubimets, Busmantsi and Pastrogor - which each have capacity for 350 people, are overflowing with over 650 people currently accommodated in each. Additionally, there is a shortage of police personnel reported in the centers, Mr Rashkov added. On Monday, the Consultative Security Council to the Presidency would discuss the worsening migrant situation. "We need to work with the EU for a more serious Frontex [EU's border agency] engagement and develop a joint operational plan," President Rumen Radev said during a visit to the Elhovo border crossing on Friday.
Protests of Avtomagistrali - Cherno More company shut down main roads
Employees of the Avtomagistrali-Cherno More state-owned company shut down key roads on Friday, including the Trakia and Hemus highways, the Ruse-Varna road and a central boulevard in Sofia to protest the state's non-payment of 4 million euro in salaries.
Spokespersons from the company claimed that 800 people were not paid last month and the company has still not received 18 million euro for the repairs of a section of Trakia highway. The State Road Agency announced it is seeking ways to find funds for workers' salaries.
President Radev to issue second mandate when Parliament revises budget
Head of State Rumen Radev announced he does not want the caretaker government to become a permanent government - as proposed by BSP and Stand up BG parties - and would only pass the second mandate to GERB when MPs vote to revise the state budget, as demanded by Prime Minister Stefan Yanev and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev. "I will decide who to give the third mandate to when I hear the opinions of the parliamentary factions," Mr Radev added.
The first mandate to form a government, which went to There is such a people (TISP) party was unsuccessful. Mr Radev will now have to pass the second mandate to the second largest party - GERB, but has no formal timetable to adhere to. As GERB already announced they will not try to form a cabinet, Mr Radev will have to pass the third and last government mandate to a party of his own choosing.
The feverish political week in Parliament finished with debates about police violence during the 2020 summer protests, demands by MPs for the eco-sticker on cars to be dropped (rebuffed by the Ecology Minister) and an announcement by caretaker Economy Minister Kiril Petkov that credits for at least 125 million euro issued by the Bulgarian Development Bank would not be serviced. In other news
