PP opposes changes to the rules for personal assistants who care for bedridden relatives. Instead, it wants checks on disability board (TELK) rulings and on fake assistants, MP Bogdan Bogdanov told BNT.
He criticised the plan to remove relatives who look after bedridden family members if they can work elsewhere. "Have we, the state, really come to this, chasing away people who care for their bedridden relatives?" Bogdanov said.
He said that with so many problems in the system, it makes no sense to go after these very people. Bogdanov said they should not be harassed and their pay should rise in step with costs. If the state cannot provide proper care for the sick while their relatives work, it should back personal assistants, he said.
The MP said the money drained through bogus TELK rulings and assistants must stop leaking at once. PP's position is checks everywhere, not changes. It expects the ruling parties to use their majority to check TELK rulings and to remove fake assistants and fake rulings.
Anyone who issues fake TELK rulings must answer for it, so the money reaches those who need it most, Bogdanov said.
He also spoke about the 2027 budget. In his view, its biggest problem is its base. It assumes economic growth, set levels of revenue and 3bn euros of new business investment to make up for the lack of state spending.
The budget also counts on 800m euros from the windfall profit tax. Bogdanov said both PP and the Fiscal Council warn that this money will not come in. PP thinks the tax will raise 200m euros at most.
"If the ruling parties do not listen to economists and outside views, this arrogance will lead to disaster," Bogdanov warned.
He said the sectors that will pay the tax can steer part of their profit into new investment, reserves and day-to-day needs, so 100% of their profits will not be taxed.