Bulgaria's 2026 State Budget Declared Unconstitutional by GERB Leader

GERB leader Boyko Borisov called the adopted 2026 state budget a "full false start" and unconstitutional, saying the projected deficit of 5.7% of GDP exceeds the 3% limit allowed only in wartime or epidemic conditions. He announced plans to file a complaint with the Constitutional Court. Borisov highlighted cuts such as the removal of the children’s hospital from the budget, the freezing of the minimum wage at €620.20, and a new debt ceiling of €10.1 billion.

Vice‑premier for European funds Atanas Pekanov defended the budget’s legality, noting it complies with the public‑finance law. He outlined ambitions for the 2027 budget, including a revised minimum‑wage mechanism, anti‑corruption reforms, and a reallocation of EU funds to boost high‑value industries and address demographic challenges. Pekanov also announced the termination of a corrupted €127 million grant scheme in the mining sector and pledged to curb the role of gambling in the economy.