Poor people in Bulgaria already exceed 80%, while the country ranks last in Europe in terms of personal income and Bulgarians are to become 40% poorer, Podkrepa Labor Confederation said at a press conference today.

The country's overall development trend is catastrophic, according to Konstantin Trenchev, chairman of Podkrepa. The signals received at Podkrepa's units about the development of the country are increasingly disturbing, according to Trenchev.

The inflation rate in Bulgaria so far this year is scary and exceeds by far that in the remaining EU members, Trenchev said. The rising costs will affect significantly most Bulgarians, Trenchev added.

An unprecedented increase in energy costs, water and natural gas prices is expected as of July 1, according to Trenchev, which will be followed by another 20-percent increase in the price of natural gas as of September 1.

Bulgaria's inflation rate already exceeds 16%, compared to an average of 3% for the EU and is expected to break the 20-percent mark by the end of the year, Trenchev said. The prices of basic foods and products have risen by 30% this year, Podkrepa said.

The reckless greed of Bulgarian politicians has caused Europe to be very skeptical about the absorption of the EU funding by the country, Trenchev said. Podkrepa will start holding talks and meetings with all large-scale public organizations to take actions to protect the civil rights and for a dignified life of Bulgarians as European citizens, Trenchev said.

„All our efforts to use dialogue as a form of communication with the government do not seem to be working”, Trencev said. Podkrepa made an address to Bulgarian citizens, stating that the government conducts an aggressive anti-social policy, which has led to low incomes, high inflation and working poor.

Photo: BGNES