The Chairman of the National Assembly of the Bulgarian Socialist Party and the coalition “BSP–UNITED LEFT“ and Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov participated in the regional meeting of the Bulgarian Social Democracy – Euroleft in Plovdiv, where he presented an analysis of the challenges facing the government and the role of the left in stabilizing the state. Later in the day, Zafirov also opened the prestigious international taekwondo tournament ITF “Bulgaria Open 2025“, which is held in Plovdiv and is already of European Cup rank. The event is organized with the support of the Municipality of Plovdiv, the Bulgarian Taekwondo Federation ITF and the Army Sports Club “Trakia“ and was opened jointly with the Deputy Minister of Sports Dimitar Georgiev, the Mayor of Plovdiv Kostadin Dimitrov and the Mayor of Panagyurishte Zhelyazko Gagov.
In his speech to Bulgarian Social Democracy – Euroleftist Zafirov emphasized that the cabinet inherited a “cascade of crises“ that have not stopped for a moment – problems with water supply, consequences of natural disasters and the impact of international sanctions on the energy sector. “This cabinet did not receive 100 days of tolerance. From the very first day, we were solving foreign, long-neglected problems“, he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that despite the media attack on the government and the left, the results are obvious: overcoming the water crisis in the most affected areas, mass inspections after the tragedy in “Elenite“, as well as the state's rapid response to the “Lukoil“ case, which led to the adoption of urgent legal changes and the appointment of a special manager of the refinery. “This is the opposite of the opposition's narrative - the authorities see the problems and react in time“, stressed Zafirov.
On the topic of Budget 2026, he defined the document as “the most social in the last two decades“ and categorically stated that it was the efforts of the left that ensured income growth, an increase in the minimum wage, an increase in maternity leave for the second year and a strong package for children and families. “These were the quiet battles of the left. We did not make noise – we worked“, he added.
Zafirov emphasized that the BSP–OL has proven that it can impose left-wing policies through dialogue and statesmanlike behavior, and not through conflicts. “We did not betray our voters. Today we are the guarantee that social policy will not be replaced“, the Deputy Prime Minister also said, assuring that the upcoming year will be more stable and more successful for the people.