site.btaGovernment Withdraws Draft State Budget for 2026

The Council of Ministers proposes that the National Assembly adopt a decision to withdraw the 2026 State Budget Bill, the Government Information Service reported Tuesday. The decision was taken at an absentia meeting of the Government.

The same decision also withdraws the National Health Insurance Fund Bill and Public Social Insurance Budget Bill. 

Following a decision by Parliament, the Cabinet will launch a new budget procedure.

On Monday evening, tens of thousands of citizens took to the streets in Sofia and major regional centres across Bulgaria to protest the adoption of the 2026 State Budget Bill. Protests were held in Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Ruse, Pleven, Stara Zagora, Lovech, Veliko Tarnovo, Dobrich, Blagoevgrad, Sliven, Shumen and Yambol. Protesters in Sofia were heard chanting "Resignation!", apparently calling on the government to resign.