Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (CEDB), the newly-formed party with Sofia mayor Boiko Borissov for its leader, showcased a comprehensive political and economic platform at Hilton Hotel on September 19 2007.

Stefan Mavrodiev, in charge of economic affairs at the party, said that the party is the first to present a detailed overview of its vision for state government two years ahead of general elections. The reason for the early presentation is that a platform can only be fine-tuned and perfected if subject to timely public debate.

The blueprint has already been presented to representatives of the European People's Party (EPP), a political formation that CEDB aspires join.

The party underscores as its top priority high GDP growth of 8 to12 per cent a year in the mid-term, which it believes could be achieved through improvements of the labour market in terms of flexibility and security.
 
Changes to tax legislation should also be initiated. Flat tax should be put at 10 per cent whereas the non-taxable income should be at as high as 1000 leva. In addition, the VAT rate should be put at EU's lowest of 15 per cent, Mavrodiev said.

CEDB subscribes to a leaner administrative structure, whose expenditures should be no higher than 30 per cent of GDP. This should go hand in hand with the elimination of a number of redundant ministries.

If CEDB were the ruling party now, it would have eliminated Disaster Management, State Administration and Economy and Energy Ministry. The responsibilities for economic policies should be assigned to the Finance Ministry, after the example of the UK and its treasury principle. Energy policies could be decided at an agency, not ministerial, level, Mavrodiev said.

CEDB urged for urgent reforms in education, pension and social security. Reforms have been sidelined by several successive governments and the protest of Bulgarian teachers are no surprise, Mavrodiev said.