The Executive Council of the PP “Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria“ expressed a categorical position against the proposal for the state budget for 2026, the belated and undemocratic changes in the legislation on Lukoil and the growing Russian influence in the country, emphasizing the need for transparent governance, compliance with European standards and protection of national security.
See the full position:
"RESOLUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE PP "DEMOCRATS FOR A STRONG BULGARIA"
At a meeting held on 08.11.2025, the Executive Council of the PP “Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria“ (DSB):
Concludes that the government and the parliamentary majority are establishing a model and style of governance that threaten the foundations of national consensus, the direction of development and shared values. The imposition of decisions on key issues for national security and the economy, taken through non-public and illegitimate mechanisms with an undisguised corruption motivation and the usurpation of repressive power to deal with political opponents, undermines support for representative democracy, the market economy and EU membership. The style of public speaking of both the government and the populist pro-Kremlin opposition destroys basic public decency and norms of human communication:
1. PP “Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria“ will categorically not support the proposed draft state budget for 2026:
• Expressing deep concern that the draft budget, for corruption and populist reasons, puts the country at risk of entering the eurozone with a fiscal profile that formally appears to be in line with European rules, but in fact puts it at risk of opening an excessive deficit procedure in the first year after accession.
• Will insist on the publication of a real assessment of the European System of National and Regional Accounts (ESA) of the budget deficit, as well as on conducting an independent stress test of the revenue and expenditure side.
2. Reaffirms its consistent position that Bulgaria must firmly and without hesitation participate, together with its allies and partners, in imposing sanctions against the Russian Federation, as part of the common policy in defense of international law and security:
• Believes that the changes in the legislation regarding the sanctions against Lukoil are overdue, and in the form, undemocratically imposed by the ruling majority, extremely unreasonable and dangerous. The government must ensure the selection of an authoritative Western operator with proven international experience and impeccable reputation, which will guarantee transparency, stability and trust in the process and development prospects for the refinery, which is a fundamental element of the Bulgarian economy and security.
• Calls on the European institutions to propose a common legal framework for the termination of the activities of Russian oil and gas companies on EU territory, consistent with the European sanctions against the Kremlin and guaranteeing the preservation and increase of production capacity in the EU. Instructs the representative of the DSB in the EP to propose measures in this direction.
3. Takes into account the growing trend towards extreme radicalization of public speech in Bulgaria by political parties and their representatives from the entire political spectrum and, sharing the understanding that politicians bear a high moral and institutional responsibility for preserving decency and civilized dialogue in society, instructs the MPs from the PP “Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria“ to submit a draft declaration for categorical abstention from the use of hate speech in its various dimensions, including rhetoric that dehumanizes, marginalizes and pits different groups of society against each other, to be approved by an act of the 51st National Assembly.
4. Assigns the Chairman of the DSB, in his capacity as Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly, to notify the NATO Deputy Secretary General responsible for intelligence and security of the Alliance and the Director of the NATO Security Authority (a structure responsible for counterintelligence countermeasures) regarding the tolerance of the ruling party towards Russian influence, presence and especially towards Russian propaganda channels.
In conclusion - expresses his firm conviction that the upcoming presidential elections in 2026 represent a historic opportunity to reverse the described dangerous political and economic trends in favor of European, honest and democratic politics."