„Yesterday I found out that they would protest today. I can’t understand the logic of the protest. Protest for what? – for manifested reason. And if I show recklessness? If they want my resignation for reason, what will they want for my recklessness?
Thus, the Minister of Health Prof. Kostadin Angelov commented on the air of „NOVA“ the upcoming protest of the restaurateurs today. He said he was puzzled by the planned discontent and pointed out that two weeks ago he met with the two associations that organize it.
„During the meeting we talked for more than 3 hours about their problems. Their main problem, they pointed out, is that there are delayed payments. I invited my colleagues – the Minister of Labor and Social Policy – Denitsa Sacheva, the Minister of Economy Mr. Borisov, the Deputy Prime Minister Nikolova. We assured our colleagues from the associations that by the end of this month they will receive their money. This is already happening.“
Yesterday it was announced that the restaurants will open from March 1. This divided the industry. The Bulgarian Association of Restaurants and the Society of Restaurants in Bulgaria announced that they did not participate in the negotiations on the opening date, but were attended by representatives of the hotel industry from the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association.
The Society of Restaurants in Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Association of Restaurants are adamant that today they are protesting in front of the Council of Ministers demanding the resignation of the Minister of Health. Emil Kolarov from the Society of Restaurants in Bulgaria announced:
„We will open on February 1.“
Asked what he would do if he was fined, Kolarov replied on „BNT“ that he would consult a lawyer. Regarding the meeting between the Minister of Health and the representatives of the hotel industry, he added: „Colleagues from the other organization who were, did not participate in our protest, although we explicitly invited them.“
The meeting yesterday was rather informative and in principle was not in a decision-making format, said the Bulgarian Hotel and Restaurant Association Deputy Chairman Atanas Dimitrov. He revealed that they were presented with the position of the Ministry of Health and the National Headquarters for a possible opening of the facilities from March 1.
Kolarov noted that they do not want to protest to block the capital or to harass citizens. However, he announced that there would be a procession.
Businesses in Burgas will also support the protest in Sofia. Representatives of large retail outlets, restaurant owners and wedding agencies are leaving the seaside town for the capital. They are adamant that the restaurants in the seaside town will open on February 1 in protest.
