German Rheinmetall likely will not build a gunpowder and shell factory in Bulgaria, says Boyko Borissov
Borissov says the deal with Rheinmetall is favorable, but the gunpowder and shell factory will most likely not be built because there is no opportunity to take bribes.
The leader of the opposition party GERB and former Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borissov said that the agreement with the German defense company Rheinmetall is extremely favorable for Bulgaria, but warned that the planned factory for gunpowder and shells will most likely not be built because there is no opportunity to take bribes from the project.
Borissov clarified that the only problem with the agreement is that "there is no way to demand a bribe from the German giant," so according to him the project will most likely be transferred to private firms through which that would be possible.
The agreement was signed by the previous government
He added that the agreement for construction had been signed by the previous government cabinet, but during the last visit by representatives of the German company it became clear that the position of the Bulgarian government had changed.
In his assessments Borissov presented the problem primarily as a question of opportunities for informal income, and not as a technical or strategic discussion about the project.
The opposition leader's statements highlight the tense public-political debate in Sofia over whether large defense contracts will be carried out directly with foreign manufacturers or be channeled through domestic private companies.
Photo: DPA)
