The Parliamentary Committee on Regional Policy, Public Works and Local Self-Government adopted the Draft Law on the Budget for 2026 in first reading.
Budget 2026
"Bulgaria needs calm and a stable government that will lead our country in the transition from the lev to the euro. Could the budget have been better - yes, it could have been. We have said more than once that this is a coalition budget, there are both left-wing and right-wing measures in it, but anyway there is inertia that we are following. There are laws that determine an increase in spending in various areas that we are following. What makes a good impression on me is that the medium-term program for next year focuses on reducing total expenditures relative to GDP allocated to the budget," said the leader of the UDF and deputy chairman of GERB-UDF Rumen Hristov in the studio of "Denyat ON AIR".
He emphasized that there was hope that the Tripartite Council would meet and discuss the options surrounding Budget 2026.
"What worries me and the UDF is the dividend tax, which is increasing from 5 to 10%, as well as the increase in the social security burden by 2%. A discount could be made, but when you have such expenses, you have to look for a way to cover them. The idea of increasing social security contributions is to reduce the transfer from the state budget to the National Social Security Institute. As you know, a colossal amount is transferred every year," Hristov added on Bulgaria ON AIR.
Dividend tax
The leader of the UDF expects the 2026 Budget to be adopted, despite all the criticism.
"These temporary measures, which were adopted in connection with the 2009-2010 crisis, the contribution for the business to be distributed 60-40, the first three days of sick leave to be paid by the employer, have become permanent. Thank God that the sick leave was reduced by one day. Everyone is either satisfied or dissatisfied. There are some who are more dissatisfied - these are the employers, they have a reason, but ultimately this coalition budget must be evaluated", emphasized Rumen Hristov.
Christmas supplements for pensioners
"It is better to support those who need it. The small amount that is received is very important for one person, but there are people who receive the maximum pension. Let's find those who need it - what we are trying to do with the energy poor. Bulgarian pensioners expect these supplements, but everything depends on the implementation of the budget," the guest explained.
The Euro Referendum
On November 18, the Constitutional Court ruled with an interpretative decision in the case of the refusal of the former Speaker of the National Assembly Natalia Kiselova to allow the parliament to vote on holding a referendum on the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria next year.
The proposal was made by the head of state.
"The referendum should have taken place before its entry into force. There is no doubt that in the remaining time, anti-European and pro-Russian forces will do everything possible to vilify this process. A referendum on the eve of our accession to the Eurozone is unnecessary and chewing gum for people who are preparing their new party," Rumen Hristov is categorical.