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And here it smelled of kebabs everywhere. It is as if we were in a town square, where, to be re-elected, the local mayor lit a grill and handed out free kebabs and beer to the electorate.
Distributed as a last resort
The elections are approaching, and this time, along with the expiration of the mandate, this annoyingly persistent protest is taking place and if the rating drops, it drops. So vote buying has to start far away, on an even larger scale and in an even more hypocritical and disgusting way. Hundreds of millions have been distributed for the last time, mostly as budget promises for the future, but here and there and for a few levies in an envelope (or in an account).
It started more or less immediately after the protests started. BGN 50 a month for each pensioner, apparently due to the pandemic (although exactly their income did not suffer in the least). Then a 30 percent increase in salaries in the state administration and other bonuses and subsidies. Just for August: 1 billion additional costs. And now, in a few days, another billion and a half.
The 50 BGN for everyone’s pensions will not be for three, but for eight months, until the ordinary elections in March. The so-called Child allowances from January 1 will be paid to all families with children, regardless of the parents’ income. The income criterion is also removed for aid for first and eighth grade students: everyone will receive it in a larger amount, 300 instead of 250 lev. As of January 1, the minimum pension will increase by 30 percent and, as of July 1, the other pensions will increase administratively: lower by 10, higher by 5%. The minimum wage is also administratively increased as of January 1.
Neither fairer nor more social
They present all this as strengthening social policy and generating more justice. But it is none.
Child benefits designed as social assistance make sense when they are intended for the most needy and vulnerable, and in sufficient amounts. The same applies to one-time student benefits. When you give a little to everyone, including those who do not have the slightest need, you make social policy meaningless and kill justice.
Administratively increasing (with a decision of the party and the government) mainly the smaller pensions is unfair for those who have worked harder and insured for longer and with larger sums. And it is politically shortsighted and irresponsible, because it demotivates today’s workers to insure and undermines the pension insurance model, which it has already taken.
This time the number will not pass
Unlike traditional vote buying, in which the village mayor pays for the kebabs out of his own pocket (although the money of course may have been stolen), in our case the government is dependent on paying the cost of the money common (including government money). bribed). This is why they are so recklessly “generous” and in the coming days and weeks they will probably find more things to raise and raise.
This time, however, your account will not go out and your number is unlikely to pass. Because now it is transparent and clear even to the least educated and disoriented voters. They won’t refuse to have their kebabs, beer, and levs, but then they’ll vote for whoever they know.
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