site.bta2026 Budget Will Be Balanced and More Conservative than Reformist, Parliament Chair Nazaryan Says

The 2026 state budget will be balanced and more conservative than reform-oriented, National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan (GERB-UDF) said on Bulgarian National Television (BNT) on Sunday. 

She noted that thanks to Bulgaria’s regular government, the budget will be submitted and adopted before the start of the fiscal year. The three budget laws are expected to be reviewed by the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation in the coming days before being approved by the Council of Ministers and submitted to Parliament. According to Nazaryan, no major changes are expected on the revenue or expenditure sides.

Nazaryan stressed that Bulgaria’s legislation and systems are fully prepared for the euro adoption. "The budget is drafted in euros, which means that both the state and the Bulgarian National Bank will transition smoothly from January 1, 2026," she said.

Commenting on the parliamentary majority, she explained that it currently includes four groups and that the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) - New Beginning faction has no voting rights in the Council for Joint Governance. Decision-making within the ruling coalition is based on consensus, she added.

On the issue of the Burgas refinery and U.S. sanctions against Lukoil, Nazaryan said concrete government decisions are probably expected by Wednesday. "There is sufficient fuel in the refinery, in tax warehouses, and in the State Reserve, so people should not worry," she noted.

Asked about speculation that President Rumen Radev might form a political party, Nazaryan said, "As long as he is president, he has no right to do so. Once he leaves office, he can, like any other Bulgarian citizen."