Headline: Bulgarian Employers and Unions Protest Soaring Energy Prices, Demand Immediate Action
Subhead: Thousands ready to gather in Sofia, block major highways as industry leaders warn of impending crisis
Bulgaria – Thousands of business owners and trade unionists are expected to hit the streets of Sofia on January 15th at 11 AM, marching to the "triangle of power" to demand immediate action from the government to extend energy compensation schemes set to expire in 2025.
Representatives of both groups have announced that they will also block the Struma Highway ("АМ Тракия") and the route between Sofia and Varna via Veliko Tarnovo, in a show of force designed to highlight the urgency of the situation.
Energy Prices Reach Record Highs
The compensation ceiling, previously set at 180 leva (€91.5) per megawatt-hour, has surged to up to 305 leva (€155.5) in recent weeks. Vasil Velev, chairman of the Union of Chambers of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria (AICB), revealed that average compensation prices have more than doubled over the past two months.
Velev stated that Bulgarian energy prices are now 50% higher than in countries like Germany, France, or Poland, and significantly higher than in Scandinavia. He warns that the escalating costs will be passed on to consumers, potentially leading to job losses and business closures.
"Bulgarian businesses exporting goods will have to cease operations or lay off workers," Velev warned.
Factures Set to Double for Many Businesses
Dobri Mitrev, chairman of the Union of Chambers of the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce (BCC), echoed these concerns, noting that companies will soon receive electricity bills for December with charges of around 320 leva (€163.5) per megawatt-hour, excluding taxes. This includes no compensation for businesses that have already produced and sold goods, effectively doubling their energy costs.
"Every Bulgarian citizen will suffer if we fail to address this issue," Mitrev said, urging the political elite to make a clear choice between letting businesses collapse or extending the compensation scheme.
Calls for Long-term Solutions and Government Action
The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA), the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), and the Confederation of Employers and Industrialists in Bulgaria (KRIB) have all called for concrete action to address the soaring energy prices. They have demanded long-term solutions, including the implementation of long-term energy supply contracts, energy efficiency initiatives, and investments in renewable energy.
"Our members expect the government to take decisive action, not just words," said Konstantin Stamenov of KRIB. "Without proper support, Bulgarian businesses risk being left behind in the European market, and our workers will suffer the consequences."
Trade unions, represented by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) and the Confederation of Labour "Podkrepa," have also joined the protests, warning that high energy costs threaten jobs and salaries.
In the face of increasing pressure, the government must act swiftly to mitigate the impact of spiraling energy prices on Bulgarian businesses and consumers alike.
