This is a specific budget of stagnation, commented in Pleven on the state budget for 2026 adopted at first reading, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairman of "Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria" (DSB) Atanas Atanasov.
He added that they voted against and have very solid arguments for this.
"The opposition should always prepare for elections, but at the moment there is such a stable structure that holds power on the basis of corrupt practices that it can be very difficult to break", believes Atanasov, quoted by BTA.
According to him, the situation now in Bulgaria is the same as before the collapse of the Soviet Union. "The rulers will last a few more years, they will use a large part of the financial resources in ways that can satisfy certain circles, they will fill certain coffers through corruption schemes. The bad thing is that there is apathy in the population, people do not notice and do not listen", commented Atanasov.
He drew attention to the fact that the most serious growth in the budget increase is in the security sector. In the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the services, it was increased last year, but this topic was not discussed in parliament, because the committee for control of the services has been boycotted by the rulers for this season, it does not meet at all. And that is where the debate should have been, because the discussion, the hearing of the chairmen of these agencies takes place in the committee.
„They just do whatever they want. These things are important and should be noticed by the people. And with regard to the budget – pouring huge amounts of money to support the current nomenclature that runs the state and the security services. The most money is poured into a few "piggy banks".
On the occasion of the upcoming protest in connection with the budget next Tuesday, Atanasov said that the opposition is divided ideologically. He does not feel comfortable participating somewhere with representatives of "Vazrazhdane", because, in his words, they work for the interests of a foreign state. They have diametrically opposed ideological views.
"The protest is of our coalition. If I see them there, I will decide how I will react. At this stage, I am not saying anything more", added the DSB chairman.
Atanas Atanasov's opinion regarding the future presidential elections is that the democratic community they represent is obliged to mobilize. The presidential elections must be won. This is the way to change the political environment in Bulgaria, Atanasov believes.
“A head of state must be a broad-minded person who has very good knowledge of political processes, but must unite wide circles of society”, is Atanasov's opinion.
In Pleven, he participated in the seminar "The Path of Political Visionary: Women's Leadership in the Face of Water Deficiency and Climate Change", where he delivered a lecture.