site.btaRegardless of Currency, Continue the Change Is Against Any Budget Used for Theft

Continue the Change (CC) leader Assen Vassilev told reporters in Parliament that CC will oppose any budget if it is used for theft, regardless of the currency. He was reacting to Friday's statement by GERB leader Boyko Borissov that the protests are about blocking Bulgaria's budget ahead of the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2026.

The protests are entirely about preventing the power holders from dipping into the pockets of Bulgarian citizens to fill their own coffers, Vassilev said. He added that demonstrations would continue. It depends on whether the citizens agree to let those in power take money from their pockets, he commented.

An occupation of the government is the only way: the government refuses to listen to Bulgarian citizens or to the employers' organizations, he said.

Vassilev argued that the Public Finance Act had been breached through the parameters of the draft budget. He added that any changes to the Budget Bill could be made during the second reading by the parliamentary committees.

On Thursday, Vassilev said the proposed budget takes BGN 600 from every Bulgarian to fill the government's piggy bank, with no pay rises planned for workers or new investments by businesses in 2026

The Budget Bill plans an increase in social security contributions by 2 percentage points and in dividend tax to 10% from 5% now.