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

Kaloyan Kolev represents Bulgaria at the World Paella Day Cup in Valencia

On September 20, Valencia (Spain) will host one of the most significant culinary events in the world – the World Paella Day Cup. Bulgaria will have a representative in the competition for the second consecutive year. Kaloyan Kolev will demonstrate..

published on 9/19/25 9:38 AM

Rakla Fest in Pernik offers open-air art

From September 19 to 21, the Central Park in Pernik will host the first edition of Rakla Fest – a festival that will bring together young and old in the name of laughter, art and music. This festival of theatrical, circus, musical and street art..

published on 9/19/25 6:00 AM

Morning sunshine, highs of 23 to 28 Celsius expected on Friday

On Friday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 6 to 14°C, in Sofia - 7°C. During the day it will be sunny. A light to moderate wind will blow from the north-northwest.  Daytime highs will be from 23 to 28°C, in the capital Sofia -..

published on 9/18/25 7:25 PM