All parliamentary groups except "Vazrazhdane" supported the second extended budget at first reading in the plenary hall, which should allow the Ministry of Finance to make payments after March 31.
The MPs have three days between the first and second readings to make proposals on the text. "Vazrazhdane", however, voted "against". The deputy chairman of the party Tsoncho Ganev explained in the studio of "Speak Now" that the formation does not support the continuation of the budget policy of recent years.
"A budget is currently being extended, in which, let me just remind you, 20 billion new debts are included. This government continues to draw another 20 billion, fulfilling the option voted in the hall. De facto we live on credit, and this credit will be repaid by us, our children and our grandchildren, "he said.
In his words, the situation is paradoxical, because parties that overthrew the previous government because of the budget now support the same framework:
"Cynicism is someone who until yesterday explained that he wanted to overthrow the government because of its budget, today to vote for this budget. We have a clear and consistent policy and we say that the caretaker government has the right under the Constitution to propose a new budget."
Ganev said that at a meeting with parliamentary parties, the Finance Minister warned of the dire state of state finances:
"The Finance Minister directly said - there is money in the state until the summer. From there on, there are two options: either social spending cuts begin, or VAT increases. Most likely, VAT will be raised starting in the summer, which will immediately lead to higher prices and inflation."
Regarding rising fuel prices, Ganev insisted on urgent action and linked the problem to sanctions against Russia:
"Transport companies and consumers, within a week we have a 14% increase in the price of diesel. What we have been saying since day one is that sanctions against Russia must be lifted urgently, at least with regard to energy sources."
Ganev also commented on the conflict in the Middle East, stating that the party does not support military action:
"There is no way we can support the invasion of a sovereign state, the bombing and killing of peaceful people and children. What we see is extremely worrying."
Regarding future coalitions after the elections, he confirmed that "Vazrazhdane" has clear red lines:
"We are clearly and precisely showing five parliaments with whom we will not govern – these are GERB and Peevski. We will not participate in governing with them in any form."
Tsoncho Ganev added that possible talks with other political forces will depend on specific policies, including the position on sanctions against Russia and the conditions of Bulgaria's membership in the European Union.