site.btaParliamentary Committee on Internal Security and Public Order Approves Draft State Budget at First Reading

The parliamentary Committee on Internal Security and Public Order approved at first reading Wednesday, with ten votes “in favour”, eight “against” and one “abstained”, the draft state budget for 2026.

In accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of the Interior Act, the salary increase will be within 11% or around BGN 250, Interior Ministry's trade union deputy chair Iliya Kuzmanov told the media. According to him, the amounts allocated in the budget for salaries will be sufficient.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Deputy Interior Minister Filip Popov explained that salaries differ - they depend on the length of service of the individual police officer, on their post and other factors. “I cannot give a specific figure,” he said.

He noted that fire safety services require new equipment, various types of light and heavy trucks, clothing and more. “We will do everything possible to achieve this goal, so that we can provide at least some guarantee for the lives of firefighters,” Popov said.