The main opposition party is accusing the government of manipulating the calculation of the consumer basket to downplay the true cost of living for citizens. Kristina Kostova, vice president of SDSM, stated at a press conference that the government is attempting to create a false impression that people can live comfortably on 400 euros.

Kostova criticized the government’s approach to calculating the cost of living, arguing that it excludes essential aspects of a dignified life, such as recreation and cultural activities. She claimed the government considers leisure activities like vacations, cinema, and theater as luxuries unaffordable for ordinary citizens. According to Kostova, the government’s list of recommended products includes extravagant items like papaya, mango, and asparagus, while citizens are left with “crumbs.”

The government’s alleged goal is to replace the existing minimum trade union basket, a real indicator of living costs, with a new “average consumer basket” designed for a family of three instead of four. Kostova suggests this manipulation aims to make the numbers appear more favorable by comparing the average basket to the average salary, which tends to grow faster and is reported monthly, unlike the minimum wage.

The new average basket will focus solely on food and bills, disregarding recreation, culture, and other elements of a dignified life. Kostova asserted that the items included in the trade union basket, representing the minimum requirements for a decent life, will be excluded from the new calculation simply to present lower figures.

Kostova believes that the average consumer basket should accurately reflect the average standard of living, encompassing real costs for a family, including decent nutrition, quality products, and cultural life, not just bare survival. She condemned this action as a political manipulation and an insult to the intelligence of the citizens, demanding that the government abandon this plan.