For 2025, the deficit has been missed, the budget has been breached. The goal of maintaining a 3% deficit is already slipping out of the hands of the government. This opinion was expressed by Martin Dimitrov from the Democratic Party, chairman of the subcommittee for control of public spending in the National Assembly, according to the Bulgarian National Radio.
"Apparently the new target is up to 4.2%, which will not be considered by the EC as an excessive deficit, since exceptionally defense spending will not be taken into account", he explained.
The moment they realized that they had missed the deficit, they decided to spend 5.5 billion additionally, which is a violation of a 25-year consensus on the stability of public finances, the deputy from the Democratic Party pointed out. "The government is trying to find solutions by pouring gasoline on the fire. This is really pouring gasoline on a raging fire."
"We are heading towards a bad scenario for raising taxes", highlighted one of the risks Dimitrov.
The IMF did a good analysis and showed the problems of the budget, but in terms of "treatment" the tax increase is a big mistake, he believes.
There is a serious left turn of this government, commented Martin Dimitrov. "The profile of this government is already categorically left, leftist. Mr. Peevski is a generator of left-wing politics."
Analyzing the request to open 50 state-owned stores for the people by the end of the year, Dimitrov called this "a huge waste of funds" and drew a parallel with the idea of state-owned gas stations, which was stopped before its implementation.
Large budget deficits were allowed in Romania and the price is already being paid. If our next budget continues the current leftist spending, this will lead to a Romanian or, even worse - a Greek scenario, warned Martin Dimitrov.
According to him, we are at a financial crossroads, and so far there is not a single measure to limit or reduce costs, or for greater efficiency.
In addition, tools are being created to bludgeon business and civil society, Dimitrov emphasized.