Vitanov on the budget: We check on what criteria pensions are increased, but we will not reduce them

Petar Vitanov, leader of the parliamentary group of "Progressive Bulgaria," has made several statements regarding the upcoming budget for 2026, emphasizing that there will be no reductions in pensions or social benefits. The budget, which has already drawn criticism from the opposition, is being framed as part of a necessary financial stabilization process following the inherited economic challenges from previous governments. Vitanov described the situation metaphorically, comparing it to visiting a doctor who first provides a diagnosis before beginning treatment. He stated that the current government has accurately diagnosed the country's financial state, marked by a deficit of 7.4 percent, and outlined a plan to reduce this to 5.7 percent within five months. This strategy includes addressing outstanding invoices while ensuring that no income or social payments are cut.

Vitanov also addressed concerns about potential audits of the State Social Insurance Fund, noting that these reviews aim solely to clarify the criteria used for increasing various social payments rather than reducing them. He emphasized that the goal was to ensure future decisions were based on clear and effective criteria. Additionally, he assured that administrative reforms would focus on optimizing structures with overlapping functions, underutilized staff, and opportunities for restructuring without affecting conscientious workers. Only those in board positions of public enterprises receiving high salaries would face potential cuts, according to Vitanov.

The proposed budget also touches on the issue of mothers' social policies, where Vitanov affirmed that existing payments would remain unchanged, stating that motherhood should not be seen as charity but as a right. He further noted that future increases in such payments must be tied to the productivity of the economy.

Political analyst Pervan Simeonov offered his perspective on the budget, suggesting that it might not fully represent the political agenda of "Progressive Bulgaria." He viewed the budget more as an attempt to address the current financial crisis rather than a comprehensive policy statement. Simeonov highlighted the long-standing problem of excessive spending in Bulgaria, which has been a challenge for many years. He acknowledged the need for significant changes, although he warned that such transformations would be difficult to implement without causing systemic collapse due to the existing weaknesses in solidarity systems.

According to Simeonov, the political landscape in Bulgaria is undergoing a transformation, potentially leading to new alliances and dynamics during the presidential elections. He speculated that a candidate supported by Rumen Radev could emerge alongside another backed by the "PP-DP" faction, creating a new political geography that diverges from the traditional dominance of GERB and DPS. However, he cautioned against expecting immediate results from the current political climate and suggested that the impact of these changes would become clearer over time.

Nikola Minchev, a Bulgarian MEP, raised concerns about President Radev's approach to balancing different audiences, particularly between pro-Russian voters in Bulgaria and European partners. He argued that this dual messaging could create doubts among European allies about Bulgaria’s true stance on critical issues such as sanctions against Russia. Minchev criticized the government's position on imposing a veto on new sanctions targeting Russian Patriarch Kirill and the refusal to impose sanctions on major figures in Lukoil, warning that such actions could place Bulgaria in a problematic group within the EU similar to Hungary under Viktor Orban.

Minchev also pointed out that the 2026 budget does not include any substantial reform initiatives, despite the expectation that even a transitional budget should hint at planned reforms. He expressed concern over the risk of exceeding the 3% deficit limit set by the European Commission, highlighting the need for structural reforms to prevent the situation from worsening. His comments underscored the importance of addressing systemic risks related to expenditures surpassing revenues, which require careful management and strategic planning to avoid long-term economic instability.