Listen to the news

At its plenary session, the Economic and Social Council (ESC) of the Republic of Bulgaria unanimously adopted two main acts - a resolution on the "National Plan for Recovery and Sustainability of the Republic of Bulgaria" and an opinion on the topic: "National goals and priorities for a fair energy transition in the Energy Strategy of Bulgaria until 2030 with a horizon of 2050".

The texts were developed on their own initiative.

In the resolution, the ISS emphasizes that the final version of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), submitted for consideration and approved by the Council of Ministers, compared to the previous version, contains significant changes that were not discussed with the social partners, nor to wider public discussion.

This has led to the inclusion of unacceptable commitments that may have a detrimental impact on Bulgaria's energy security, economy and social environment and are already causing significant political and public tension, which creates a risk of a complete failure of the Plan's implementation.

The ISS adopted an opinion on an updated partnership option for the 2021-2027 program period.

According to the ISS, the political uncertainty at the national level, the lack of indications of the formation of a regularly functioning government and possible new early parliamentary elections, create a risk of the impossibility of adopting part of the reforms provided for in the Plan, for which legislative changes are required.

During the meeting, the president of ISS Zornitsa Rusinova commented that "The Council is the only body that takes a serious and responsible attitude on the topic of the Plan.

All the others who speak are purely political persons, and in this sense the significance of the resolution prepared by the ISS is great."

She added that the accumulation of delays in the presentation, acceptance and start of the implementation of the NAP, the missed opportunity to receive an advance payment may lead to the need for debt financing, in order to service part of the planned investments.

In the opinion related to the National goals and priorities for a fair energy transition of Bulgaria until 2030 with a horizon of 2050, it is written that the ISS supports the goals of achieving sustainability and climate neutrality, stating that it is necessary to create conditions for a sustainable economic growth and inclusive social development.

ISS notes that the Law on Energy, as well as the European "Green Pact", set the following requirements as the basis of the strategy for the development of the energy sector:

- Guaranteeing secure energy supply at affordable prices;

- Building an integrated, competitive and digitized energy market;

- Giving priority to energy efficiency and development of the energy sector, based largely on energy from renewable sources and new technologies;

- Considering issues of social justice and improving the quality of life of citizens.

Recovery and Resilience Plan (RSP)

Economic and Social Council