One of the big problems for municipalities in Bulgaria is the lack of a budget and therefore the impossibility of investments. At the same time, however, the deadline for converting the numbers set out in regulations concerning finances is almost running out. This must be done by law by February 20. It turned out that the fastest in their pursuit of European money are in the poorest part of Europe - the Northwest, Nova TV reports.
“I don't work in euros now. I only work in levs now”, this is how Krasi Nedkov welcomes his clients. He prepares the grill in a restaurant near the train station in Krivodol.
Sedefka and Boyan are from a neighboring village in Krivodol. The two of them share a portion, which now costs them 10 leva or 5 leva per person, and if the restaurant also introduces the euro, the kebabs, the side dish of beans and chutney with bread will cost them about 5 euros and 11 euro cents, i.e. a little over 2 and a half euros per person. They are not worried about whether the garbage fee and taxes will be paid in euros after the country enters the eurozone.
“I don't pay any taxes. I have no property, I have nothing”, says Damyan Borisov.
People in the area both believe and don't believe that anything will change. “We have still been tied to the currency board since 1997. So we have actually been with the euro for a long time, only it says levs. It doesn't say euro”, says Krasimir Nedkov.
„But it doesn't matter how you pay it. It's still money! We've changed so much money in recent years that if others come along - it's the same thing again. We'll get used to it quickly. We have to”, believes Vladimir Varbanov.
„If they make our pensions and salaries from 600 levs to 600 euros - it might, but I highly doubt that will happen”, adds Iliicho Tsvetanov.
However, the conversion of the amounts in 13 municipal ordinances is already a fact in Krivodol. The mayor submitted the report, and all 13 municipal councilors unanimously accepted it. For example, Ordinance 1, which concerns sanctions for various violations of public order, provides for fines of 50 leva, but also 26 euros and 56 eurocents up to 1,000 leva or 511 euros and 29 eurocents.
The update was made nearly a month before the deadline stipulated in the Law. Did this make Krivodol the most European city not only in the Northwest?
We tried to meet with the mayor of the municipality for a whole week. However, he turned out to be very busy and was unable to see us. That's why we asked people. And they turned out to be unemployed and with a rather difficult daily life. They say that they have nowhere to even withdraw their pensions and salaries.
„Maybe it will be better for rich people. For us, the middle class and people who tend towards the poor, it will be more difficult, but one day for our children and grandchildren, God willing, it will be better and they will live a better life,” adds Krasimir Nedkov.