The chairman of GERB Boyko Borisov and the chairman of the “We Continue the Change“ (PP) Assen Vassilev argued in front of journalists on the sidelines of the parliament about the 2026 budget, BTA reports. The co-chairman of “Democratic Bulgaria“ (DB) Ivaylo Mirchev was also with them. They exchanged remarks about the state's budget plan for next year, after Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova announced that the tripartite dialogue has been restored, and next week the specific measures will be discussed with business and unions.
Earlier, the finance ministry also held a meeting with business and unions regarding the budget. After this meeting, the GERB leader came to comment on the topic to journalists. Even before his statement was finished, the representatives of the PP-DB came to the sidelines.
"Come on, you want to pinch my ear, don't you?", Borisov turned to Mirchev because of the statement of the DB co-chairman this morning.
"Peevski is pulling your ears, not me,", the DB co-chairman replied. Mirchev asked Borisov if the budget had been withdrawn.
You have not withdrawn it, Assen Vassilev told Borisov, who replied: "We will not withdraw it". According to the PP chairman, this is a problem. However, Borisov said that a meeting with the tripartite partners is coming up on Tuesday.
If we come to an agreement, we will form a budget committee again, the GERB leader explained. We will introduce all the changes in the hall, he added.
Vassilev asked what will happen to the three-year forecast for the draft budget, which has been agreed with ECOFIN. According to him, re-agreement is not possible. What will be the redistribution - 40 or 45% of the Gross Domestic Product, so that there is no pressure on taxes, commented Asen Vassilev. And he asked whether social security contributions will be raised.
Whether they will be raised or not, we will know on Tuesday, when the tripartite party proposes all its demands, and on Wednesday, in parliament, we will inform you, Boyko Borisov replied.
The topic of the protest in front of parliament two days ago was also raised. The GERB leader said that the protest was not of the PP, but of the AIKB, to which the PP-DB representatives reacted with the words “It is ours“.
Let's protest then on Monday, let's show Mr. Borisov whose protest it is, said Asen Vassilev.
The PP-DB MPs withdrew from the sidelines, and Boyko Borisov continued with his comments to the media.