The financial crisis we are experiencing right now cannot be compared to the situation in 1996-7, finance expert Emil Harsev said in a TV debate on the Bulgarian National Television this morning.

He said this was the same as comparing the earthquake that shook Sofia a few days ago with the devastating one in 1977 in Vrancha, Romania.

Harsev said there was no recession in the country. “Bulgarians know how to survive a crisis,” he pointed out. “We did this in the difficult years of the so-called transition period of 1996-7 and in 1998-9.”

„Bulgaria is a land of poor people and millionaires. We are the land of people who live in 180 sq m apartments and rely on social benefits.” Harsev's opponent in the studio was economist Chavdar Nikolov, who said the Government was very slow in taking preventive measures against the crisis.

He also said he was against Christmas bonuses for public servants. This idea is also supported by leading economists in the Bulgarian National Academy of Sciences.

He gave advice to those getting Christmas bonuses to at least not spend them quickly.

Photo: BGNES