Galab Donev on homemade rakia measures: I won’t be peering through windows

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Galab Donev has dismissed claims that planned changes to Bulgaria’s excise duty law could lead to fines for people who keep homemade rakia for personal consumption.

Donev said the proposed measures were aimed solely at curbing unregulated alcohol sales, not at people who make or keep rakia for their own or their family’s use.

“I’ve spent the whole day amused by memes showing me as some kind of inspector peering through people’s windows and watching to see whether they’re drinking homemade rakia or not,” Donev told reporters. “I want to make it clear that I’m not going to police ordinary people who distil homemade rakia for their own and their family’s consumption. But I will be keeping an eye on those who abuse the trade in homemade rakia.”

He said claims that someone could be fined for having a bottle of homemade rakia at home, including one received as a gift from a friend, were a misinterpretation of the proposed changes.

Bulgaria’s Customs Agency seized 15,000 litres of homemade rakia intended for sale in retail outlets between the beginning of the year and August 31.

People who keep their own rakia at home for personal consumption will not be affected by the changes or subject to the new inspections, Donev said.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova