64065 | 13 April 2026 | 16:07

The confidence of GERB does not come from the sociological charts, but from the fact that we have participated in making the most difficult decisions during the biggest crises. GERB has clearly shown that we are capable of taking responsibility

Denitsa Sacheva was born in Dobrich. She holds a Master's degree in Health Management from the "Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov" University in Burgas and a Master's degree in Public Relations from the "St. Kliment Ohridski" Sofia University. She also has a Bachelor's degree in Social Pedagogy from the "Neofit Rilski" Southwestern University. She is a member of the leadership of the GERB party. From 2016 to April 2017, she served as Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy. From May 2017 to December 2019, she was Deputy Minister of Education and Science. Since 2019, she has been the Minister of Labor and Social Policy in the third government of Boyko Borisov. Member of Parliament in seven parliaments - from the 45th National Assembly to the 51st one. Deputy Chairman of GERB's PG in the 51st parliament. Leader of the GERB-UDF list in Dobrich for the upcoming elections.

 Here are highlights from her interview with Epicenter.bg:

 - Up until now, GERB has shown wisdom, humility, and responsibility. We have proven that we learn our lessons. But now, we are less willing to compromise. We cannot be the golden fish that grants the wishes of all the other parties that lose the elections.

 - GERB's experience cannot be denied. And in times of crisis, experience weighs more than enthusiasm.

 - GERB has clearly shown that we can take responsibility. We are not perfect, but we are the most experienced party.

 - Parliamentary democracy is based on conversation. Not on red lines and shooting.

 - To talk from morning till evening about unfair elections is a risk to democracy. At the moment, we are not cutting the branch, we are cutting the tree on which democracy in Bulgaria stands!

 - I was not surprised by what "Progressive Bulgaria" showed. I was sure that while everyone is waiting for the rabbit to jump out of the magician's hat, it will be a déjà vu. And it happened.

 - The conflict between Rumen Radev and CC-DB is not authentic. What is authentic is Rumen Radev's displeasure towards Asen Vasilev, because Radev opened the way for Asen Vasilev to enter big politics and probably Vasilev didn't treat his creator well enough.

 - The current campaign is characterized by fatigue and anxiety. People are not looking for revolutions, they are not consumed by revenge, they are not obsessed with desires for retribution. They want to know who will lead in a way to bring predictability.

 - There will always be crises, some of them will be provoked by external circumstances. But when thinking strategically, risks are managed, not lived in a crisis. - The response to crises is to focus on economies that depend on skills and innovations. The intelligent economy can lead to higher incomes and a larger revenue in the state budget. There can be no freezing of incomes! And in difficult times there will be increases in pensions and wages! - Ms. Sacheva, it has been 20 days since the campaign started. Do you feel a change in its dynamics during this period? Did Rumen Radev's political power surprise you? - The campaign has been marked by a certain inertia. To some extent - even with indifference from the people towards what is happening on the political scene. From my point of view, this is the most dangerous thing – the citizens' fatigue from the elections is a serious signal that democracy is in danger. I expect that at the end of the campaign, after the holidays, it will enter the phase of comparison. People will start looking soberly at who is the one who only speaks strongly and who can actually govern. I was not surprised by what "Progressive Bulgaria" showed. I was sure that while everyone expects a rabbit to jump out of a hat, there will be a déjà vu. It happened. Did GERB manage to regain its confidence after meeting its new opponent, "Progressive Bulgaria" (PB)? - We have never lost our confidence! This does not come from sociological graphs, but from the fact that we have participated in making the most difficult decisions during the biggest crises. GERB has clearly shown that we are capable of taking responsibility. - Allow me to add the question about the surprises - the turn of "Progressive Bulgaria" and Rumen Radev against PP-DB and the unexpected clash between them - was it unexpected for you? - According to me, the conflict is not authentic. Rather, Rumen Radev's dissatisfaction with Asen Vasilev is authentic because Radev opened the way for Asen Vasilev to enter big politics and probably Vasilev did not treat his creator well enough. However, I see that a distinction is being made between PP and DB. As for the so-called clash between "Progressive Bulgaria" and DB, there is no authenticity. Sociological studies show a slight decline in support for PB, but it is still the leading political force. If they need votes for a government or a constitutional majority and invite you for talks, will you accept? - We have never refused talks. On the contrary. Unlike everyone else who believes that politics is a battlefield where we must constantly draw red lines and shoot at each other, we are convinced that parliamentary democracy is based on dialogue. The question is whether these talks will be self-serving or will focus on clear priorities for the establishment of a functioning parliament and government. We could not participate in governance as teachers or mentors, let alone as pawns to anyone. We have come out with clear demands of what we believe should happen in the country. There are predictions that the election results may not be recognized for the first time - do you see such a risk and where do the dangers come from? - What is currently being done - talking from morning until evening about the elections being unfair, being bought, no competition and more and more, goes beyond the bounds of reason. I believe that this is a risk for democracy. The risk is not just on election day. But in everything we do now, before election day. There are probably practices that need to be pursued by law. But I firmly believe that this does not affect everyone and everything in Bulgarian elections. Not all people are selling their votes, not everyone is involved in such practices. The biggest danger is not in machines and protocols, but in the language of hatred. I don't know who taught all our opponents that this rhetoric is winning. No! We are not just trimming the branch, we are cutting down the tree on which democracy in Bulgaria stands. I call on all politicians who have some reason and sense of responsibility to think about what and how they speak. And on April 20, the day after the vote, there will be a life. I emphasize that the voices of the people matter. They are the ones who, with their activity, can melt away the corrupt electoral practices and determine what will happen on the day after the elections - no matter what the scenarios, no matter who the puppeteers are, no matter who the ones are who abuse democracy. We have voted eight times for parliament in the last five years, with you participating in all of GERB's campaigns. Is there anything different about this one? Are people more worried about what's happening here and on the international stage, and how does this worry determine the topics that concern them? Besides the fact that in five years we have had eight elections for parliament, I always emphasize that we have already spent nearly 700 million euros on elections and campaigns. This should shock us. The current campaign is characterized by fatigue and anxiety. "People are not looking for revolutions, they are not preoccupied with revenge, and they are not obsessed with desires for revenge. They want to know who will govern in a way that brings predictability. World news, dominated by wars, energy prices, and inflation, is no longer something distant or abstract. It is not happening thousands of kilometers away from us, but it affects our family and personal budget every day. People now want security and are interested in who can handle this situation. There is a direct connection between geopolitics and personal life. People are looking for masters, not performers who will learn on their own how to deal with problems." - GERB leader Boyko Borisov was in Dobrich, where he assured that shale gas will not be extracted in Dobrudzha, as there is a moratorium, he reminded. Why has there been tension on this topic? Pre-election? - The topic of energy insecurity is being discussed exactly on time. The moment is logical. The whole of Europe is talking about energy diversification and independence. The conversation about energy cannot be pre-election, it is inevitable. The position of GERB on Dobrudzha is clear and categorical: there is a moratorium, it is being followed and nothing can happen there without the consent of the people. We cannot choose between economic interests and nature. However, I notice that the problems in the "Agriculture" sector, especially those related to European policies and the lack of personnel, are leading to the point that more and more farmers in Dobrudzha are becoming energy producers. As a politician, it is important for me to highlight this trend. Because just as energy independence is important, so is food security. We seriously need to have a conversation about the topic and to see which regions in the country can participate in the overall European conversation about energy independence and where we can find resources to help Bulgaria. And another important question: which regions, like Dobrudzha for example, should be a priority in terms of ensuring food security. What is the most unfair accusation against GERB that you have heard so far in the campaign? Many of the accusations that we hear are unfair. But there is one that is the most contradictory. And that is that GERB is the problem, but everyone expects GERB to provide the solution. We cannot deny GERB's experience. We cannot and should not. We know the saying about five beating one. From here the conclusion is clear: in times of crisis, experience weighs more than enthusiasm. People do not need perfect circumstances or perfect politicians right now. I firmly believe that we, in GERB, are not perfect, but we are the most capable. - Opponents, allies, and potential coalition partners after the vote - this is a topic that no party likes during a campaign. Will you lift the veil a little? With whom would you not govern under any circumstances? - We have emphasized many times that we do not set red lines. But there are, of course, parties with which we have obvious ideological differences. We do not share, for example, the foreign policy views of "Revival" and their anti-European rhetoric. There are certainly policies from other parties that do not fit with ours - the extreme populists or extreme leftists. There are topics on which we will not compromise our principles, because we would be going against the purpose for which we exist as a party. This applies to European policies in a high degree. GERB, let me emphasize, we are Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria. We cannot enter into a coalition with people who have anti-European rhetoric and work against the interests of the European Union.There are those on which we will not back down, but only when we can do something useful for Bulgaria and it is in line with our priorities, we are open to talks. However, let me say something very clear: until now we have shown wisdom, humility, responsibility. We have shown that we learn our lessons. But we are becoming less and less inclined to compromise. There is a limit, a moment when a clear boundary must be drawn. "We cannot be the golden fish that fulfills the wishes of all other parties that lose the elections. The fact that we do not have an absolute majority can no longer make us the donor who, with the trust of citizens, fulfills the dreams of the rest of the parties. This cannot and will no longer happen. You presented an ambitious program with a horizon until 2030, while in recent years, as we know, the management has been in crisis. Does this mean that you expect to reach the end of the crisis and stabilize the country? - With the program and its presentation, we wanted to draw attention to the following fact: crises will always exist, some of them will be provoked by external circumstances. But when thinking strategically, risks are managed, not lived in crisis. We forgot that in politics, horizons must be drawn." "We constantly react to what is happening at the moment, whether it be here, in Europe or in the United States. We produce reactions. And if we have a plan, strategy, vision and horizon, we will follow them and make our lives a little calmer. GERB presented a governing program, not an election program. The very decisive promise of GERB not to raise taxes and not to change the system is impressive. Against the background of military conflicts and international insecurity, isn't this a very big challenge? In the Middle East we have a semi-crisis. In case of negative developments, which are not unrealistic, could we lead to a freeze on salaries and pensions in our country? The protests in December last year clearly showed that society cannot accept a policy of increasing taxes and contributions." Whether it is due to the difficult economic situation, the total lack of trust towards politicians and institutions regarding the spending and redistribution of the state budget, or a combination of both, the fact is that a raise in taxes and contributions will not be accepted by citizens at the moment. With our program and the highlights we laid out during its presentation, we indicated solutions that could help stabilize the budget. The first one is fighting against the shadow economy and ensuring that people pay their real taxes on their real incomes. The second is focusing on industries with added value, also known as creative industries. Bulgaria has strong examples in the IT sector, outsourcing, and production of digital content. The response to crises is to focus on economies that rely on skills and innovations. A smart economy can lead to higher incomes and greater revenue in the state budget. I firmly reject: there can be no freezing of incomes! Such a move is not being discussed and cannot happen. Even in difficult times, there will be increases in pensions and salaries! - Two new measures caught my attention from the GERB program, related to the labor market and social policy. The first is for an individual training account and a personal skills voucher, and the second is a unified social package for households. Can you provide more details? Where will the funds come from for the individual account that you are proposing? - We are currently investing a lot of money in this direction. The budget for the operational program aimed at vouchers for trainings, digital skills, and qualifications is 800 million euros. This is a topic that we have discussed with both trade unions and employers. Our workforce needs to constantly reskill in order to meet modern requirements. Currently, 800 million euros come through the operational program and around 40 million euros through the national budget - these are the funds that are allocated for similar policies. However, they are being spent in a way that does not yield results. The money is given to companies that offer trainings for individuals seeking relevant qualifications. We believe that this approach is ineffective. When there are funds for reskilling, individuals should be able to choose what and where they want to learn. This is how we will avoid abuses that we only hear about now and which lead to a loss of social resources. The unified social package is a measure that I launched as a Minister of Social Policy. Currently, we are witnessing various types of poverty - energy poverty, water poverty, and soon we will start talking about transportation poverty or digital poverty. We cannot burden the system with dozens of types of poverty. There needs to be a unified social package for households in need. A package that can be used for basic needs such as food, electricity, or fuel. We need to make sure that all of these fragmented aids are consolidated and directed towards the needs of the people, while also being linked to a certain activity on the part of the households. We cannot stimulate thousands to live solely on assistance. The social policy should support, assist and improve, by giving people the opportunity to have an independent life. - One of the latest decisions of the 51st National Assembly was the introduction of a multi-fund model in the pension system. Will this help stabilize it and how? - The issue of multi-funds is an old one, first brought to public attention in 2005. Since then, it has not been fully implemented. Now we are mainly talking about the fact that more and more people who retire will be different from the pensioners we know. They will have different expectations from those of our mothers and grandmothers. People need to know that we cannot rely solely on solidarity, as we also have a serious demographic crisis. Out of 110,000 retirees, there are 50,000 who are entering the labor market. There will come a time when it will not be possible for only the employed to support everyone who will need assistance and additional income. The multi-pillar model does exactly that - it allows our pension savings to be invested wisely in different sub-funds - dynamic, balanced, conservative, based on our own risk tolerance, but also according to our age. The expectations are for a significant increase in returns. If the average pension from the second pillar is currently around 493 euros, it should rise to almost 780 euros. That is, almost double. This is the purpose of the reform - to make sure that our money, which sits in the second pension fund for 30-40 years, is invested in a way that brings higher income, while also working for the state through investments in large infrastructure or energy projects, digital connectivity, etc. A highway, for example, is a long-term project that cannot provide immediate returns. But funds invested in large infrastructure projects through the pension system can wait for this long period of return to bring back higher returns to the people. Most importantly, the money from the second pension fund can be inherited. The more they grow, the more they increase the funds for the family. The National Social Security Institute provides basic security, where all types of risks are covered. With the second pillar, people can supplement- if the National Social Security Institute provides security, the second pillar provides a better way of life, and those who have the possibility to make private insurance in the third pillar will be much more peaceful about their old age. These are topics that we need to talk about with young people. There are problems that require basic agreement between political forces - for example, the escalation of the war in the Middle East and the consequences associated with it. Is this achievable in Bulgaria?! I ask the question with an astonished mark due to the endless scandals and merciless political wars of the last few years. - This agreement is mandatory! At the same time, it is difficult to achieve. Especially in a pre-election situation. Many political forces, taking advantage of the fact that foreign policy is a central topic in every family, are abusing this topic in a populist way. - You are right about the public interest - we all wonder where the world is heading and where Bulgaria's place will be in it. Where? - Bulgaria must find its place through greater activity and adequacy. For Bulgaria, Europe is most important. But we cannot continue to move on the old path of common clichés and try to deal with situations that are completely different from previous ones. The state is a state, not a reality show. The main issue for us at the moment is that when it comes to foreign policy, some of our opponents continue to behave as if their rating is more important than national interest. This is blocking any agreements. However, there are topics where we have relative national consensus – for example, North Macedonia. There are also European topics where we have a strong majority in parliament. I hope that the risks arising from the international situation will still act as a disciplining factor for political entities and that there will be less scandals and more responsibility.