site.btaMP Assen Vassilev Warns It Will Be "Disastrous" If Budget Passes in Its Present Form

Continue the Change party leader Assen Vassilev warned on Wednesday that it will be "outrageous and disastrous" if Bulgaria's state budget for 2026 is adopted in its current form. Vassilev told journalists in the National Assembly that the draft budget blocks investment through the dividend tax, and also hampers consumption.

The former finance minister noted that no company would raise wages when taxes and social security contributions are higher. Vassilev stressed that this can be prevented: "You cut off the money for the 'piggy banks' and the money for the 'cudgels', and you won't need to raise taxes or social security contributions."

He said the National Assembly has voted for the draft budget to be put forward for debate this Friday in breach of the Public Finance Act, because the budget scheme has not gone through discussion with employers’ organizations and trade unions.

Vassilev also commented on rumours in the media that there had been a "secret breakfast in Bankya" attended by GERB leader Boyko Borisov, Rumen Spetsov and Valentin Zlatev. "What is Valentin Zlatev’s role in the management of Lukoil, and will he be the real special administrator?" Vassilev asked. He said that when the oil refinery in Burgas was managed by Zlatev and the government was led by GERB, not a single penny of tax was paid. He urged GERB leader Boyko Borissov to say whether such a meeting had taken place.

The MP also said that he had long since lost trust in Rumen Spetsov, the recently appointed special commercial administrator for Lukoil's companies in Bulgaria.