THE king's coalition, National Movement Simeon II, will lead a positive election campaign to the tune of its motto: "Bulgaria - a home for its citizens."

It was announced by chief campaign organiser Nikolai Marinov at the official presentation of the movement's election programme and its creators on Wednesday.

Lyubka Kachakova of the movement's economic team said: "The people are the most valuable resource Bulgaria has. This is why the movement is going to work towards building a social state. Incomes will increase in relation to the increase of labour productivity and economic growth. Family taxation will be introduced, pensions brought up to date, and child benefit increased."

Health care will be reinstated in schools (under the health reforms schools no longer have school doctors), and the state will not be allowed to withdraw totally from the financing of hospitals.

The movement will also work to protect the rights of children, especially those left without proper care, and those victims to violence, Kachakova said. Social awareness will be raised in relation to the child drug users and beggars. "Education is the basis for preparing a high quality work force, and we will work to provide every kid with equal opportunities and an equal start in life."

Head of the economic team Nikolai Vassilev urged the government not to rush to conclude a deal for the huge power plant project Maritsa-East 1 and 3 before the June 17 elections. The movement's economy experts have doubts about the transparency of the deal, he said. He also invited the members of Prime Minister Ivan Kostov's government to test the movement's economy experts in debates rather than just accusing them of incompetence.

The programme economic parts envision keeping the currency board and economic stability until the country's EU accession, a balanced budget - "not spending more than we have" - and effective management of the foreign debt, so that less money from the budget goes for its coverage, Vassilev said.

Also on the programme is the steady economic growth achieved through radical tax reform: zero tax on reinvested profits, and new job openings, as well as a generally lower profits tax. Changes in the Penal Code will be introduced to protect creditors - thus enabling the banks to activate their basic function - providing credits. The movement also proposes a restructuring of the Privatisation Agency into a company managing state participation in the economy.

In the foreign policy arena the movement wants continuation and consistency, with EU and NATO accession as priorities.

The exiled king Simeon Saxe-Coburg himself was due this week to embark on a pre-election tour of the country. Yesterday he was scheduled to visit Montana (north-west Bulgaria), and attend a service in a local church. On his way back he was to visit Chiprovtsi and Berkovitsa, and on Saturday Plovdiv was on the schedule.