Money from the recovery plan – to help Ukraine

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov's proposal for individual donations to help Ukraine has met with mostly negative reactions. The criticisms were varied, but an important gap between the capabilities and needs of the Ukrainian economy stands out.

The country's monthly budget deficit is expected to reach nearly $7 billion. If we compare it with the revenues of the popular campaign to help sick children - "Bulgarian Christmas" - worth 2 million leva for 2021, we will come to the conclusion that even if we see an unprecedented wave of donations, the funds raised would hardly have a particularly helpful effect.

No matter how libertarian Mr. Petkov's idea is, any donation in such a form will have the characteristics of a pose rather than something with a real possibility of helping the Ukrainians suffering from the war.

However, what would have a serious effect? If the Bulgarian government provided the funds expected from the European Union under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. These funds are in an amount approximately equal to the monthly deficit of the Ukrainian state. We collect all the money under the plan and give it to Ukraine - with a one-time transfer to cover its deficit for the next month.

What are the advantages of this proposal:

1. Obviously, the size of the donation is serious. It will cover an entire monthly deficit. Accordingly, June or July of each year can become the month of Bulgaria in Ukraine.
2. This is not about Bulgarian taxpayers' money, but about debt-financed money from the European Commission. Our taxes stay here.
3. As part of the agreement to send the money from the PVP to Ukraine, the Bulgarian government will negotiate an exemption from the envisaged new EU-level taxes through which the Plan will be paid for.

That is, not only will we not give money, but we will also save ourselves new taxes.

4. By not taking money from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, the need for the controversial "reforms" set as a requirement for receiving the funds will be eliminated. The unions predicted a 4-fold increase in electricity prices as a result of the agreement - it is worth avoiding this increase.
5. " European funds are the lifeblood of the mafia," said Hristo Ivanov some time ago. Without funds, there is no life for the mafia.
6. If we send the money from the PVU to Ukraine, we will eliminate the danger of it falling into the hands of companies linked to the Russian military industry.

Without a single Bulgarian lev spent, with avoidance of new taxes and expensive electricity, leaving the mafia and Putin in the lurch. And at the same time with a serious effect on peaceful Ukrainian residents.

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