The Bulgarian cabinet submits the budget to the National Assembly in its original Form, neglecting the opinion of employers

published on 11/13/25 10:18 AM

Photo: BTA

The Bulgarian government will approve and submit to the National Assembly the draft laws related to the state budget for 2026 in the version coordinated with the supporting political parties. This decision was reached after the four employer organizations refused to participate in the extraordinary meeting of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation convened for today.

The 2026 budget provides for EUR 10.5 billion in new debt and a 3% deficit

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev canceled the scheduled meeting last night, saying: “In its work, the government has always been guided by the principled position that social dialogue is necessary for all important decisions in the country. Good governance required that we consult with all social partners, but the repeated refusal of some of them to participate in the meeting of the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation gives a clear assessment of their attitude to the budget.”

Bulgaria's second-largest trade union "Podkrepa" opposes draft Budget 2026

Business representatives rejected the proposed state budget plan, which envisages a double increase in dividend tax, a 2% increase in pension insurance and an early increase in the maximum social security income. The Employers' Association announced that it is backing down from the ruling majority's position of preserving the tax-insurance model by seizing additional funds from the real sector to finance inefficient spending in the budget sphere, recalls BNR reporter Tsvetelina Stoyanova.