President Radev: The state is failing in the fight against fuel cartels

Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev on May 27 visited the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources in the town of Sadovo, Central South Bulgaria. Speaking to media, he commented on how the country is managing the situation with COVID-19 and said that he does not see a clear plan for easing the measures.

The President also commented on the possible reduction of VAT, saying that the tax policy in the country is not fair and that it deepens poverty and distances us from the European model.

Radev also expressed his position on the establishment of a State Oil Company, describing it as an "adventure". He pointed out that it was clear that the state was not dealing with the cartels.

Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria: I do not think that such a complex and responsible system as the tax system should be approached in a piecemeal manner and without clear ideas and calculations. I think everyone is convinced that our tax policy is not fair. The state is failing to combat fuel cartels and provide an effective market environment for free competition. And it is strange how the state will play a double role here - on the one hand it will be a competitive participant in the market, and on the other hand it will be a regulator.