Djankov signals GERB's ambitions for a second term

There are more reforms to be done and some of them can only be completed during a second term of GERB in office, Simeon Djankov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, told TV7, citing the health care and national security systems as areas where continuity is needed.

Djankov reiterated his opposition to the tactics of boosting Government spending right before the elections, saying this is "the easiest and most populist way of winning votes", but it is also certain to bankrupt the country.

"In the name of stability, we have to ensure soundness today so that we can avoid insolvency in the future", the Finance Minister urged. "A BGN 1 bn buffer is the only thing standing between Bulgaria and financial ruin, but, if the money is spent, we will go bankrupt for the sixth time in our history," Djankov said.

Asked what it would take for him to resign as Finance Minister, Djankov said the biggest failure for someone in his position is an unbalanced budget. However, he is confident that if he gets to keep the job for another four years, this outcome will not come to pass. The Deputy Prime Minister said that he is prepared to step down at any point, should his views and the official Government policy become incompatible. One example would be if public smoking advocates prevail and the ban is reversed.

If GERB doesn't win the upcoming general elections, Djankov will put in motion his plan to leave the country. "I'm definitely going to go my way. I came to Bulgaria because of Boyko Borissov," Djankov said, adding there are lots of other things he'd like to do and that he is greatly admired abroad.

Djankov said he was offered a book deal with an established US. publisher to work on a profound economic study of the failures in European leaders' handling of the financial crisis.

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