Bulgaria’s National Statistical Institute (NSI) has issued a firm statement rejecting claims made by Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the pro-Kremlin minority party Vuzrazhdane. Kostadinov alleged that the NSI was preparing to manipulate inflation data for September 2024. The NSI labeled these allegations as unfounded and assured the public of its transparency and adherence to international standards.
Allegations amid parliamentary elections
The NSI’s response comes during the official campaign period ahead of Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections on October 27, 2024. This will be the seventh election in just over three years. Vuzrazhdane, which holds 38 out of 240 seats in the current parliament, is known for its pro-Kremlin stance, opposition to Ukraine, and calls for “renegotiating” Bulgaria’s European Union membership. The party also advocates for a referendum on leaving NATO and opposes Bulgaria joining the eurozone.
Importance of inflation data for Euro accession
Inflation figures are crucial for Bulgaria’s accession to the eurozone, as the country must meet specific inflation criteria. Vuzrazhdane’s allegations suggest an attempt to undermine confidence in the official data at a critical time for Bulgaria’s economic integration with the European Union.
Assurance of compliance with European standards
The NSI emphasized that Bulgaria’s inflation data is calculated in accordance with officially accepted European Union regulations. It follows a harmonized methodology that is consistent across all EU member states. The institute highlighted that Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, verifies and validates this data on a monthly basis.
International oversight of NSI’s methodology
The NSI also pointed out that its methodologies, including those used to calculate inflation, have undergone regular scrutiny by international organizations such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Eurostat. Both institutions conducted missions in Bulgaria between 2022 and 2024, reviewing the NSI’s statistical practices. These evaluations confirmed that Bulgarian statistics adhere to the required standards without any deviations.
Eurostat confirms accuracy of NSI Data
According to the NSI, the most recent Eurostat mission found no irregularities in its calculations. Eurostat thoroughly checks the accuracy of these calculations before publishing them on its website, ensuring transparency and trustworthiness in the statistical data provided by the NSI.
Independence and election neutrality
The NSI underscored its role as an independent institution, free from political influence. It expressed disappointment that Vuzrazhdane’s claims were part of election propaganda, harming not only the institute’s reputation but also Bulgaria’s international standing. The NSI clarified that it does not wish to be involved in the election campaign and remains committed to its nonpartisan role.
The institute is scheduled to release its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on October 15, 2024.