Fuel prices are rising depending on the situation in the Middle East and stock market prices. It is by no means out of the question that they will continue to rise, commented the caretaker Minister of Energy Traycho Traykov in the show “In Focus with Lora Krumova” on Nova TV.
If we talk about retail prices, which affect all Bulgarian consumers, we manage, through a mix of conversations, invitations, and analyses, to limit the increase in prices compared to all other countries, noted Traykov. According to him, the media is expected to soon start reporting on how Romanians, Greeks, and Serbs are coming to fill up with gasoline at gas stations in our country, but even if the increase is more limited, it is still huge and there is no prospect, unless the fighting suddenly stops, of a decrease in prices.
Traykov also commented that in this situation, the government is moving to the next stage of its actions, which is the care for the most vulnerable. Regarding the conditions for compensation under the measures, the minister pointed out that they are not yet fixed, but explained that they are related to the poverty line, as well as the presence of a car in the household. In my opinion and according to the understanding of most participants in the decision-making process, this will be activated if the situation continues to be bad or deteriorates sharply, Traykov added.
The minister also commented on the possibility of the country losing funds on the fourth payment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, commenting in response to a question on the failed attempts to hold a meeting of the energy commission in parliament in connection with the consideration of amendments to the Renewable Energy Sources Act. According to Traykov, the argument that a quorum cannot be gathered is complete absurdity. He noted that he had inherited the proposal for legislative changes already submitted to the National Assembly by his predecessor - they were submitted on February 12, he took office on February 19, and the deadline for their adoption is the end of March. Traykov described his attempts and communication in connection with the consideration of the amendments in the commission. Over the next two days, after my reaction, there were three attempts for commissions. So there is obviously time, but there is no desire, Traykov also commented.