site.btaTransport Businesses Demand Resignations of Two Deputy PMs, Transport Minister

Transport companies demanded the resignations of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Assen Vassilev, of Deputy Prime Minister and Regional Development Minister Grozdan Karadjov and of Transport and Communications Minister Nikolay Sabev. Transport organizations told a BTA-hosted news conference on Thursday the government had not shown any understanding of the problems they are facing after the surge in fuel prices.

Magdalena Miltenova of the Confederation of Bus Carriers said the resignation demands were prompted by what she called an "arrogant attitude" to them as businesses and Bulgarians.

Miltenova said bus carriers will suspend operation indefinitely from May 18. No cabinet representative talked to them about their problems and demands after Wednesday's protest against high fuel prices, she said.

Yordan Arabadjiev, Chairman of the Union of International Hauliers, voiced concern that the government is trying to drown their voice.

Dimitar Dimitrov, CEO of the Chamber of Road Hauliers, said their next protest "will not be quiet".

Also participating in the news conference were Hristo Radkov of the Bulgarian Drivers' Association, Yoana Lalova of the European Transport Cluster and other representatives of the transport industry.

The bus carriers and hauliers want the bio-based fuel additive scrapped for six months, a 50 per cent reduction of the excise duty on fuels for six months, and fair toll taxes.

Talking at a BTA-hosted news conference after Wednesday's protest, Deputy Prime Minister Assen Vassilev said: "They do not want to pay toll taxes but they will have to."