The government will not move part of the second-pillar pension contributions to the National Social Security Institute, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said.
On Tuesday the opposition claimed the government was planning a partial nationalisation of the second pillar to cover the budget deficit. The same day, budget committee chair Konstantin Prodanov said he had not heard of such a plan.
How it started: Radev: Household electricity and heating prices will not rise, despite costlier gas
"The hysteria that the government will steal from Bulgarians' pensions through the second pillar is baseless," Radev said. He said some politicians must understand that the election campaign is over, and the manipulation must end with it.
The prime minister promised that household electricity and heating prices will not rise until the middle of next year. He made the same pledge a week ago. "I repeat once again: the price of electricity and heating will not go up," Radev said.
On Monday the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) raised the price of natural gas for November by more than 32%, but decided this would not feed through to household electricity and heating prices. The government will back the decision with its own mechanisms.
The cabinet does not interfere in the regulator's work, Radev stressed. He said gas in Bulgaria is 40% cheaper than the European TTF benchmark, which helps Bulgarian business stay competitive.
Radev also commented on the last three audit reports by the National Audit Office. He said they show problems inherited from the previous government: reckless spending, accounting tricks and a real but hidden deficit for 2025, well above the 3% limit for joining the eurozone.
The previous government also left huge unpaid bills, which already weigh on the 2026 budget and will weigh on the 2027 budget, the prime minister said.
Even so, Radev said, the cabinet is restoring budget discipline and dealing with the excess deficit it inherited. He promised the government will keep its pledges of higher incomes and pensions, and of support for children, families, school pupils, students, young doctors and people on low incomes.