Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Parliament adopts the 2023 budget at first reading

Photo: БГНЕС

Bulgaria's Parliament approved the 2023 state budget in the first reading with 156 votes in favor. The support came from GERB-SDS, PP-DB and DPS deputies. The "BSP for Bulgaria" and the parties "Wazrazhdane" and "There is Such a People" (ITN) voted against.
"This budget is not revolutionary, it continues the policies and best practices started in the last years. We have managed to maintain a 3 percent deficit for the third year in a row and to adjust spending to existing resources without affecting Bulgarian citizens," Finance Minister Assen Vasilev said.
Despite its support, GERB-SDS said that the budget does not solve a single problem and does not envisage serious reform.
According to BSP Chair Kornelia Ninova, the government's measures hinder the work of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The state plan envisages 69.5 billion leva (35.53 billion euros) in revenue. They are to come from better tax and fee collection by the tax and customs authorities, a 100 percent dividend from state-owned enterprises and economic growth of 1.8 percent. 
Expenditures are to amount to 74 billion leva, while social benefits are to be maintained - an increase in pensions according to the Swiss rule, a minimum wage of 780 leva and a poverty line of 504 leva are planned.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Foreign Minister Georgiev opens Ruse University branch in Taraclia

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev opened the first Bulgarian higher education institution outside Bulgaria in Taraclia, Moldova, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. Mr Georgiev is in the city for today's celebrations for 24 May, the Day..

published on 5/24/25 6:35 PM

A rainy Sunday, temps drop again

Over the next 24 hours, a Mediterranean cyclone passing through the Aegean Sea will cause unstable weather in Bulgaria.  It will be mostly cloudy with heavy, widespread rainfall. Moderate winds will blow from the north-northwest and from the northeast..

published on 5/24/25 6:15 PM

Bulgarians around the world celebrate 24 May

May 24 united Bulgarians around the world, who marked the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, the Bulgarian alphabet, education, culture, and Slavic literature with various events. A rich festive program was organised today at the..

published on 5/24/25 5:56 PM