site.btaDemocratic Bulgaria Urges Government to Withdraw Draft Budget, Find Common Solutions

The budget presented by Progressive Bulgaria is one of the worst and most alarming in recent years, as there has not been a 5.7% deficit since the Zhan Videnov government in 1995-1997, MP Martin Dimitrov of Democratic Bulgaria said in a statement from the parliamentary rostrum on Friday. On Wednesday, Finance Minister Galab Donev presented the main parameters of the draft budget for 2026, which envisages a deficit of 5.7% of GDP, or just over EUR 7.2 billion.

"Now the government is becoming the main cause of a new surge in prices in Bulgaria because of your budget deficit and your debts," Dimitrov said. He added that the operating expenses increase of EUR 1.3 billion over five months was a waste of money and that the government should look at specific analyses to assess what can be saved.

Dimitrov also said that EUR 9 billion in capital expenditures from August to December was a new national record, and that not even GERB had reached that level. The MP raised the questions where the reform plan was, why hospitals were not holding tenders, why critical public procurement contracts had not been reviewed, and why vacant positions were not being removed.

"Your entire budget procedure is marked by discontent, self-righteousness, and a reluctance to engage in dialogue - yet dialogue is essential. If you allow a deficit of 5.7%, it will be very difficult to recover," Dimitrov said.

"You should withdraw the budget. We are open to constructive dialogue, if you want to find common solutions. The budget must be withdrawn, and we’re ready to work on a better one," the MP said.