Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Meeting between PM and transport operators ends abruptly

Magdalena Miltenova.
Photo: BGNES

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov's meeting with transport operators over their demands for compensation ended in a row today. 

Petkov and the transporters were expected to talk about fuel price hikes and the government's anti-crisis measures.

"The prime minister said that in this chamber he will set the rules and he will say what happens. And if we don't like what he says, we can get up and leave - so we did," said Magdalena Miltenova of the Confederation of Bus Carriers. The industry threatened new protests and roadblocks after May 10.
Later, Regional Development Minister Grozdan Karadzhov, who took part in the meeting, explained that the tension had arisen after the prime minister had been interrupted several times by the carriers. He said he hoped there would be another meeting. PM Petkov has rejected the request to reduce the excise duty on fuel, citing a European directive, which is however disputed by the carriers, who have quoted a letter from the European Commission.

In late April, the carriers demanded the resignations of Finance Minister Assen Vassilev, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Grozdan Karadzhov and Transport Minister Nikolai Sabev for ignoring the industry's problems.


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Parliament expands state powers to confiscate illegally acquired assets

Members of Parliament have approved the confiscation of assets obtained through criminal activity, even when such assets are held or possessed by third parties acting in bad faith. The amendment to the Penal Code was adopted at its second and final..

published on 7/30/25 1:08 PM

Two Swedish firefighting planes will remain in Bulgaria throughout August

The fire situation in the country remains complex, so the political debate about it should be constructive, not destructive. This was what Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said at the beginning of the government meeting. He thanked..

published on 7/30/25 11:55 AM

Bank deposits in levs increase before euro adoption

The information campaign for the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria is late, Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev has told BNT. “This is a big change and people are afraid of the change,” he added. Asked about market prices,..

published on 7/30/25 10:29 AM