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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.


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