Borisov and Vasilev argue about the 2026 budget in the corridors of parliament

GERB chairman Boyko Borisov and "We Continue the Change" (PP) chairman Asen Vasilev argued in front of journalists in the corridors of the parliament about the 2026 budget. "Democratic Bulgaria" (DB) co-chairman Ivaylo Mirchev was also with them. They exchanged remarks regarding the state's plan-estimate for next year, after Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova announced that the trilateral dialogue had been restored, and the specific measures with businesses and trade unions will be discussed next week.

Earlier in the Ministry of Finance, there was also a meeting with businesses and trade unions regarding the budget. After this meeting, the leader of GERB came to comment on the topic in front of journalists. Even before his statement ended, the representatives of PP-DB came to the corridors.  

Come on, you want to pinch my ear, Borisov turned to Mirchev because of a statement by the co-chairman of DB this morning.

Peevski is pulling your ears, not me, the co-chairman of DB replied to him. Mirchev asked Borisov if the budget had been withdrawn.

You haven't withdrawn it, Asen Vasilev told Borisov, who replied: "We will not withdraw it." According to the chairman of PP, this is a problem. However, Borisov said that a meeting with the tripartite partners is forthcoming on Tuesday.

If we agree, we will make a budget commission again, the leader of GERB explained. We will enter all the changes in the hall, he added.

Vasilev asked what will happen to the three-year forecast for the draft budget, which is agreed with ECOFIN. According to him, a repeated agreement is not possible. What will be the redistribution - 40 or 45% of the Gross Domestic Product, so that there is no pressure on taxes, commented Asen Vasilev. And asked if social security contributions will be raised.

Whether they will be raised or not, we will know on Tuesday, when the tripartite will offer all its demands, and on Wednesday, in the parliament, we will let you know, Boyko Borisov replied to him.

The topic of the protest in front of the parliament two days ago was also raised. The leader of GERB said that the protest was not of PP, but of AIKB, to which the representatives of PP-DB reacted with the words "It's ours".

Come on then, on Monday let's have a protest, to show Mr. Borisov whose protest it is, said Asen Vasilev.

The MPs from PP-DB withdrew from the corridors, and Boyko Borisov continued with his comments to the media.