The country is in a crisis and the government has no plan for it, Bogdan Bogdanov, an MP from "We Continue the Change" and former economy minister, told BNT in the programme "Oshte ot denya".

"We are not in some hypothetical situation of potential risks. We are in a real crisis," he said.

Bogdanov asked for openness about the fuel stocks at the Burgas refinery and about how it works if supplies are cut. He said it must be clear how much fuel is left in reserve after the amounts taken from it, and how many days it will last.

The MP said the decision to lift the ban on fuel exports is risky. He pointed to the shortage of diesel in the world and the difficult logistics in the Black Sea.

Bogdanov said the crisis has three strands: security in the Black Sea has worsened, oil and natural gas prices keep rising, and industrial output is falling, with higher inflation also expected.

A request for a 34% rise in the price of natural gas was announced this week. Bogdanov said it will also push up the price of bread. Electricity costs 214 euros per megawatt hour, and transport has become 26% dearer since the start of the year.

Fuel prices in Bulgaria are rising among the fastest, even though the country has the second-lowest excise duty and VAT, he said.

Bogdanov said the cabinet has been slow to react to the rise in energy and food prices. He also asked why oil companies are not included in the windfall tax now under discussion. He said that money could go to compensation.

Bogdanov called for a concrete plan that guarantees energy supplies and eases the burden on business and consumers. The plan must cover the coming months, including December and January, and change with outside events. He also called for more steps against energy prices and for support for business and for vulnerable consumers.

The 5% rise in incomes does not cover inflation of 5.7% as of September, nor the extra rise in fuel, electricity and heating costs, Bogdanov said.

He replied to such objections by saying that calls for compensation do not mean unlimited spending from the budget. The budget must be balanced, but fit the current situation, he said. The state must foresee risks and react in time, not after the crisis deepens.

"We Continue the Change" is ready to back constructive steps, but wants action now.

Compensation for business should not be put off for months, because the costs inevitably reach the final consumer, Bogdanov said. "Who will pay the price for these nine months? I will pay, you will pay, every Bulgarian citizen," he said.