Debate contributions by Tsvetelina PENKOVA

Madam President, Commissioner, democracy does not apply to the political situation, it is a constant commitment and Bulgaria proves it every day. After years of political instability and a series of elections, our country has built a regular government, restored dialogue between institutions and restored predictability. This is democracy in action, not in declarations. Today, Bulgaria has taken a clear course towards stability, economic growth and euro area membership. The Council of Europe concluded the post-monitoring dialogue with Bulgaria after 26 years of monitoring. This is not a gift, but a sign that our country is realizing key commitments. And in this context, perhaps surprisingly, it is precisely now that we are discussing a concern for the supremacy of law. When a country moves forward, the loudest are those who are used to seeing it stagnant. But the noise doesn't change the facts. Bulgaria is stable, democratic and committed to the rule of law. The true defense of democracy is not to create doubt, but to defend what has been achieved. Our goal must be to support the progress made so that it can continue, because a stable Bulgaria means a stronger European Union.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, Energy connectivity in the European Union is key to reducing electricity costs. We need to invest in electricity grids immediately. Countries such as Bulgaria have the opportunity to consolidate their place as energy leaders in the Union because we are at the heart of the European connectivity corridors along the South-North and East-West axes. Building a secure and fair energy system requires a combined approach. Firstly, we need to invest in energy infrastructure and secondly, we need to build a balanced energy mix based on basic energy capacities such as nuclear energy. Only in this way will we ensure a long-term reduction in the bills of our households, ensure competitiveness for our industries and reduce the risk of an accident and a power outage. Today, we still see huge differences within our Union. Countries in Southeast Europe pay ten times higher electricity bills than countries in Northern Europe. This has to stop.

Mr President, the Eurozone is not an end in itself, it is not just a legal commitment, it is not an ideology, but an economically and financially justified step for Bulgarian citizens and for Bulgaria. Bulgaria is on the verge of this economic opportunity. In all countries, citizens’ incomes and purchasing power have increased since the adoption of the euro. Fears of inflation are unfounded. High inflation in the Union is the result of external factors – a global pandemic, a war and an energy crisis. They have all happened to Europe in the last few years. Bulgaria will join the euro area with a fixed exchange rate and the funds of Bulgarian citizens are protected. The foreign exchange reserves of the Bulgarian National Bank will not be transferred to the ECB. Only one billion of the available 33 billion foreign reserves will become part of the capital of the European Central Bank, the rest will continue to be managed by our central bank. We do not lose sovereignty, we gain influence, stability and opportunity. It is time for Bulgaria to take its rightful place in the heart of Europe.

Mr President, dear colleagues, recent events have proven once again that technology is power. The digital infrastructure, such as submarine cables, 5G networks, satellites and AI, are critical for our economy, security, health care and daily lives. And yet, almost 50 % of 5G communications rely on foreign communication infrastructure. Dependency on non-EU providers limits our autonomy and exposes us to risks that are beyond our control. We must increase the investment in EU technology. Prioritising secure and EU home-grown technology will safeguard us, strengthen our cybersecurity, drive innovation and guarantee long-term competitiveness. The time to act is now. True sovereignty can only be achieved by investing and ensuring that the EU tech sector can survive and remain competitive in this global digital race.

Madam President, Commissioner Simson, over the past two years, we have taken very concrete steps to ensure the security of our energy supply. Yes, we had no electricity regime in the European Union, but let us be clear that we were lucky with the milder two winters. This year, things don't look that way. It is unacceptable to start the third year without providing cheap energy to our households and industry. The question before us is not just to provide the necessary quantities of natural gas or electricity, but at what price? The German economy, unfortunately, is slowly but surely showing us what can happen if we continue in this spirit. The economic turmoil in Germany is affecting the whole of Europe and is very strongly felt in Eastern European countries. The new European Commission should propose energy policies for Europe to help Member States ensure low and predictable electricity prices for households and industry. If this does not happen, we risk more European citizens falling into energy poverty, so that the desired competitiveness remains a good wish.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, as part of the delegation at COP29 in Baku last week, I can assure you that the participation of the European Parliament there is key and crucial. Apart from the call for greater financing for the developing countries, which was one of the requests from the Global South, there was an additional one: a clear and foreseeable regulatory framework. The agreed commitment for USD 300 billion of investment is a small step. However, in the upcoming years, we will not only be facing the lack of financing; we will also need clear and predictable investments from the developing countries that are already experiencing impressive economic growth. What I saw on the ground during our meetings with the various national delegations is the same desire for predictability that I see here in Europe, in the Just Transition regions. People want to be certain that the rules of the game will not change midway. If Europe wants to remain at the forefront of climate diplomacy, we must first make sure that we solve our problems domestically and lead by example.

Dear Mr President, dear Commissioner, national nuclear regulators are the most important element for the safety of our nuclear power plants. There are 100 operating reactors in 12 countries in Europe, and it is the quality of our control bodies that ensures the security of the system. It is unacceptable in Bulgaria for highly qualified experts who have dedicated decades to training and professional qualification to receive a starting salary of 800 euros. Professionals working in a high-risk environment may not have life insurance in the event of an accident. In addition to adequate pay, they need compulsory insurance and additional health insurance. If timely and concrete measures are not taken, serious staffing problems will arise. This could threaten national security and the safety of the nuclear energy sector in Bulgaria. 800 euros. Does the energy security of Bulgaria, the region and the whole of Europe cost so little? We have a duty to protect the people who fight for our security.

Dear colleagues, Commissioner, one of the most significant events of the year is coming up, where we need to clearly express the European Union's priorities and defend global climate interests. But the decisions to be taken there must be the result of coordination between European, regional and national policies in the interests of all of us. In 2024 alone, more than $2 trillion will be invested globally in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure. The transition to clean energy and industry is at the heart of our competitiveness and security, but we should not limit ourselves to available technologies. On the contrary, we must use everything that is possible and familiar within the European Union. If we integrate advanced technologies, if we use basic energy capacities such as nuclear power, if we unleash the potential of geothermal energy, this is the only way to ensure stability of the energy system and low prices for industry and consumers. In order to achieve the climate neutrality goals, we need to secure the necessary investments and stimulate public-private partnerships.

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, rising house prices are putting millions of European Union citizens under enormous pressure. The young are the ones who suffer the most. Unaffordable prices for young people are unacceptable. For us socialists, housing policy is a key priority because we believe that home is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Today, however, too many young people and families remain far from this dream. This is a challenge and requires an answer. And Ursula von der Leyen's decision to merge this energy portfolio raises more questions than answers. Targeted European policies are needed to build affordable housing. The Bulgarian Socialist Party offers solutions that can also find a place at European level. One-off subsidies for young families to buy and build their first home, a special ten-year program to support citizens' investments in energy efficiency of housing, because only in this way can we reduce the household bills in a long-term way.

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, over the next five years, energy will become even more crucial for our future. Whether we succeed in reducing the bills of industry and households will depend on whether we regain the trust of European citizens. Mario Draghi's report on the competitiveness of the European economy highlights precisely this. High electricity prices are the main obstacle to the industrial upsurge of our continent. If the European Commission is really serious in its desire for reindustrialization, the main focus should be the reduction of electricity prices. At the forthcoming hearings of the commissioners, they have to answer precisely this question - how will we reduce the bills. Because this is the question that we were asked most often during the election campaign. We have to provide solutions. We need to invest in clean baseload energy capacities such as nuclear and we need to do everything in our power to ensure predictability for deposits in coal energy. We need a clear European energy development plan, a plan with targets and targeted funding to ensure Europe's future.