The government's management program will be discussed this week at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, assured Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov before the regular government meeting. “I hope it will answer all the questions and expectations of society. We were guided by clear political goals and priorities of the government, related to stabilizing public finances, a clear political goal for membership in the eurozone from January 1, 2026, the modernization of the country, security of Bulgarian citizens, and income growth”, he emphasized.
Zhelyazkov also commented on the draft budget for 2025. “In income policy, we are guided by several clear criteria – income protection from inflationary processes, income growth, which is consistent with the policy of not increasing the tax and social security burden and the bill that we have to pay for the unwise financial policy in past years, in particular 2024. We start 2025 with minus 10 billion. This is a 3% deficit. This bill must be paid this year”, the Prime Minister noted.
According to him, the cabinet is composed of both right-wing and left-wing parties, and as such it must govern in extremely clear conditions of consensus. “Political goals and the well-being of the nation are of greater importance than narrow-party ones and compromises must be made. We have a voice because we pursue goals with a horizon longer than 2025.
Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov said that on Wednesday morning he spoke with GERB leader Boyko Borisov and presented his views and those of the “BSP - United Left” on the budget plan.
“The conversation was long, and Mr. Borisov understands the compromises that the BSP makes in the name of our joint government. Our coalition, in turn, understands the compromises that GERB and ITN make in the name of stable government of the country. The issue of pensions is highly sensitive for both us and GERB and “There are such people”. This was also one of the highlights of the conversation with Borisov. We both declared concern for the pension system in our country and for the way Bulgarian pensioners live. However, I strongly emphasize that the BSP remains in categorical support of the strategic goals that our joint government has set for itself”, said Zafirov.
He added that the government has given the NSSI the opportunity to review all options for recalculating pensions. “The BSP takes on this risk that the budget will be delayed by 2-3 days, but to consider the possibilities for recalculating all pensions under the so-called Swiss rules from July 1 this year”, added the Deputy Prime Minister.