site.btaContinue the Change Leader Vassilev: Philosophy of Revised Budget Bill Hasn't Been Changed

“The philosophy of the revised budget bill is the same as the philosophy of the budget that was withdrawn,” Continue the Change chairman Assen Vassilev told journalists after a meeting on Tuesday of the parliamentary budget committee, at which the 2026 budget bill and the draft budgets of the Public Social Insurance and the National Health Insurance Fund were approved at first reading. Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria voted against all three draft budgets at first reading.

 “If we look at the government’s medium-term forecast, it shows the following: funding for healthcare decreases in 2027 compared to 2026, as well as funding for education, for sports and culture, and for science. At the same time, in 2027 and 2028, social insurance contributions are raised. Or to put it briefly, the tax increase after the large protest is postponed by one year, but in return there will be fewer investments in healthcare and education, culture and sports, and science, and by more spending carried out in a non-transparent manner,” Vassilev further commented.

According to him, the increase in the level redistribution, which in both 2027 and 2028 remains above the level of 40% of GDP when EU funds are included, the sustainable level for our tax system, means that this government has taken a course toward raising taxes in Bulgaria, increasing redistribution from the budget, and taking more money from working people so the government can have some money to spend, Vassilev added.

This government, with this second flawed attempt at a budget, shows that it is incapable of governing, Vassilev also said, adding that it sets priorities that are wrong for the country. “It has no moral right to govern this country, and if they have an ounce of sense, they will resign today. Obviously, they don’t, and people will have to go out into the square and tell them, ‘Enough, we’re fed up, we don’t want you to rob the future of the state,” Vassilev said.