NEWS

The President supports the possibility of an electronic vote in the first referendum on the country's democratic history

President Rosen Plevneliev supports the possibility of conducting an electronic vote in the first referendum in the country, which will be on the future of nuclear energy in Bulgaria, as well as in the parliamentary elections. The question of the introduction of electronic voting in the upcoming 2013 parliamentary vote was discussed in the Presidential institution in the debate on changes to electoral law, the President said. “We have a golden opportunity with the debate and with the preparation of the referendum to show the whole truth about Bulgarian energy and I am optimistic that this will happen in Parliament,” the President told reporters. Thus, he said, citizens will recognize Parliament as a place for quality debate and will be motivated to vote. Rosen Plevneliev was adamant that there can be no referendum on a specific project, and the issue should be a matter of principle.

The President opened in Sofia a Swiss investment of nearly 10 million leva in the production and assembly of components for fibre optic communications networks. The company is one of the largest suppliers of fibre optic cables in the world, and the production involved 100 young and highly qualified Bulgarians.

Investments in our country are double those of last year, President Plevneliev said, emphasising that the structure of FDI has changed. Eight-five per cent of investments are in production plants and machines, and only 15 per cent is in real estate and shopping malls. We know how to position themselves in the way of technology, and Bulgarian specialists are talented and well educated, the President said at the opening ceremony of the new high-tech enterprise.

President: Negotiations with investors about a new nuclear power plant should be carried out after the referendum
01-10-2012 13:22
 
Parliament should not decide on negotiating with private investors before a referendum on building a new nuclear power plant at Belene, President Rosen Plevneliev told reporters after opening the new academic year at the Technical University in Sofia. There are 500 000 valid signatures of citizens for a referendum to be held and in practice it is underway. We must comply with the will of the people, otherwise it would be a blow against democracy, President Plevneliev emphasised

He called for complete transparency on energy projects. The first referendum in Bulgaria’s democratic history is forthcoming and preparations must be very well carried out and the conditions ensured for the Bulgarian people to be properly informed before making a choice, the President said.

In connection with requests to increase the income of employees under the Defence and Armed Forces Act, President Plevneliev said that it was in the interests of Bulgarian citizens for the priorities to be clearly set out, as well as the sources of funding in all budget systems. The President declined to comment on individual requests for increases in income before the final version of the draft state Budget for 2013 is ready.