Professor Anthony Galabov, Sociologist: It is important for the stability of next year's budget to be ensured

- Mr. Galabov, do you think that protesters in the country are able to get what they want? Could the Government cede to the demands of railway workers and grain producers?
- The current practice has shown that the Government is inclined to change its preliminary plans and declarations. Under the current management of the GERB (Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria) party, we see readiness to change preliminary plans depending on the risks associated with social protests. The parameters  within which the Government might step back are an entirely different matter because it no longer comes down to a political decision but to the complex balance of next year's budget. I think that the budget is quite restrictive and the options of the Cabinet to resort to flexible measures are not as many as before. Ultimately, it is more important to ensure fiscal stability next year. If a decision is made for an increase in state subsidies to grain producers, as a result of their pressure, it would be a very bad signal to other groups who will decide that this is the way to achieve their objectives.

- How do you assess the reactions of the Cabinet to the deepening crisis in Europe? Can we expect Bulgaria to overcome EU's problems more easily?
- Our recovery from the crisis will not be easy but, so far, Bulgaria is in the group of countries which accept the idea of financial discipline. This gives our country a better starting position in the forthcoming process of reform and re-establishment of the EU. There is no doubt that we will get there. It is good that Bulgaria appears stable. At the same time, in terms of internal policy and economic measures, there are many things that need to be changed. Public spending should be limited. The point is that its reduction should be linked to reforms; it cannot be just a result of mechanical measures. In this respect, we should admit the fact that the administrative reform is not complete. It started too late and has not even developed in the right direction. Indeed, the public administration is poorly organised. It does not guarantee the quality of public services at the lowest cost. In this respect, the mechanical reduction of public spending is not the correct answer to the question as to how to organise effective public services. So, this is a serious problem. Bulgaria is positioned well in terms of macroeconomic indices and financial stability.

- How will the replacement of President Georgi Parvanov by Rosen Plevneliev proceed?
- I think that the transfer of powers is already underway. The essential question concerns the set of strategic plans which the newly elected President will target during his mandate. It seems to me that this issue will be put aside against the background of the emerging serious political and economic challenges. Indeed, the Presidential Institution has its importance in specific periods but I think that now all expectations are related primarily to the executive power, and I hope to the legislature as well. The loss of balance and placing the burden on the Government alone contributes to the deepening of the sense of insecurity in the country.

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