“The draft budget for 2025 was prepared in conditions of serious financial challenges, including the need to cover significant liabilities accumulated in previous years. We are starting with a deficit of 10 billion leva, with 6 billion being within the 3% deficit, and over 4 billion being unpaid liabilities from last year. This bill must be paid now, this year“, said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at the beginning of the regular meeting of the Council of Ministers.
He emphasized that the leading criteria in compiling the budget were the protection of income from inflationary processes and ensuring balanced growth, without increasing the tax and social security burden. In this context, the Prime Minister called for a constructive dialogue, recalling that the strategic goals of the state must be above narrow party interests.
Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov, for his part, stated that this morning he had spoken with GERB leader Boyko Borisov about pensions in the 2025 budget. “We have reached an agreement that the National Social Security Institute will consider all options for recalculating pensions so that the best decision can be made in accordance with the strategic goals of the state“, Zafirov said.
The Deputy Prime Minister added that despite the possible delay in adopting the budget by several days, work will be done to find an optimal solution for pensioners.
Prime Minister Zhelyazkov also stated that the cabinet's management program has been completed and will be considered by the government this week. “I hope that it will meet the expectations of society. We are guided by clear political goals - stabilization of public finances and membership in the eurozone from January 1, 2026. Our priorities include modernization of the country, ensuring the security of Bulgarian citizens and sustainable income growth,“ the Prime Minister also commented.