Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) Atanas Zafirov warned his coalition partners from GERB and “There is such a people“ that the party will reconsider its participation in the country's governance if all social commitments are dropped after the revision of the 2026 budget.
He pointed out that this would mean that there would be no increase in salaries, pensions, or maternity benefits, which the three ruling parties had agreed on, quoted by novini.bg.
All of them will be crossed out, and this was the most social budget in years, which ensured an increase in people's incomes, Zafirov noted at a briefing at the BSP headquarters.
“We have made commitments to Bulgarian citizens, which is why we joined this form of governance. However, if these social commitments are dropped, we will reconsider our participation in government“, Deputy Prime Minister Zafirov was categorical.
He described it as “extremely risky and irresponsible“ towards the people and the economy to enter 2026 with the old budget.
“The country needs an up-to-date budget. We will actively participate in the discussions on the new draft budget in order to defend the social policies in it. This is our red line“, he warned.
He called on employers to stand on the side of workers and reminded that our entry into the eurozone requires social protection, not a wage freeze.
It is precisely at this critical historical moment that Bulgaria needs leadership to lead the country through the difficult months ahead, Atanas Zafirov concluded.