Daniel Parushev defends excess profit tax in Bulgaria

Daniel Parushev of Progressive Bulgaria has defended the implementation of an excess profit tax, stating it is intended to support Bulgarian society by returning funds to the public. He noted that similar measures exist in European countries such as Italy, Spain, and France.

Parushev suggested that if banks, insurance companies, retail chains, or exchange bureaus wish to avoid the tax, they could instead lower their prices to benefit citizens. He also criticized the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) regarding potential interest rate increases, arguing such moves lack logic given the current stable liquidity and competitive environment of the banking system.

Regarding labor and energy, Parushev addressed the minimum wage discussions, noting they are conducted with unions like KNSB. He expressed surprise at the sudden shift toward protest actions from unions that had previously agreed to current calculations. On fuel costs, he remarked that removing the excise duty on propane-butane was a positive step for approximately 550,000 people, though he noted that lowering VAT alone might not lead to significant price decreases.