site.btaParliament Allows Humanitarian Aid for Bulgarians in Ukraine through Budgetary Cuts

Budgetary cuts will allow the government to offer humanitarian aid to the Bulgarians in Ukraine, Parliament decided on Friday. The motion, intended to address the international situation and give the government flexibility, was made by the ruling coalition during the debates on the second reading of the draft law on the 2022 state budget.

The Council of Ministers can approve additional expenses and transfers under the Public Finance Act by shifting priorities from one primary administrator to another. That process would enable the government to immediately finance humanitarian aid to Bulgarians living in Ukraine (including in case of urgent evacuation) and to Ukraine.

The GERB-UDF parliamentary group requested accountability on the funds spending. The Council of Ministers voted to submit a quarterly performance report, including on humanitarian aid expenses for Bulgarians in Ukraine, to the National Assembly.