Bulgaria Secures €490 Million from EU SAFE Program to Boost Defense Industry
Bulgaria is set to receive €490 million through the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument
Bulgarian Parliament Approves 2016 Draft Budget at First Reading
- Tweet
Send to Kindle
The plenary chamber of the Bulgarian Nationa Assembly. Photo: BGNES
On Thursday, the Bulgarian parliament approved at first reading the draft government budget for next year.
A total of 138 MPs voted in favour of the draft budget, 65 lawmakers were against, while nine abstained, daily Dnevnik informs.
The draft budget was approved by MPs from the two parties constituting the ruling coalition, namely the main ruling party GERB and its junior coalition partner the Reformist Bloc (RB).
MPs from the two parties supporting the coalition government – the Patriotic Front (PF) and the Alternative for Bulgarian Revival (ABV) also voted in favour of the draft budget.
Lawmakers from the Bulgarian Democratic Centre (BDC) as well as three MPs not belonging to any parliamentary group also backed the draft budget.
MPs from the main opposition parties - the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and the nationalist Ataka voted against the draft budget.
Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov described the draft budget as stable and realistic, private bTV station reports.
The draft budget foresees revenues of BGN 33 B, expenditures of BGN 34.8 B and a deficit of BGN 1.8 B or 2 %.
The economic growth is forecast at 2.1 %, while the government is expected to take a new BGN 5.3 B loan.
At the same time an update of the 2015 budget was proposed, with the deficit set to increase from 3 % to 3.3 %.
Related Articles:
Yellow Code Issued as Heavy Rain and Storms Hit Bulgaria on Friday
Bulgaria will face unsettled and wet weather on Friday, according to the forecast issued by the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology for February 13
Over 300 Complaints Filed in Bulgaria Over Electricity Bills as Regulator Steps Up Checks
A total of 320 complaints linked to unusually high electricity bills in Bulgaria had been filed with the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission by Tuesday
Society | February 12, 2026, Thursday // 16:01
Will Radev and the Liberals Join Forces? What the Caretaker PM Choice Really Means for Bulgaria
The appointment of Andrey Gyurov as Bulgaria's caretaker prime minister shows what's really happening in Bulgarian politics right now. Behind the constitutional formalities, a coalition against corruption is taking shape before April's elections.
Politics | February 12, 2026, Thursday // 15:19
War in Ukraine and Falling EU Demand Drive Bulgaria’s 2025 Export Decline
Bulgaria’s export sector continued to face challenges in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of decline
Bulgaria Ranks Second in EU for Longest Workweek While Young Graduates Lead Employment Rates
Bulgaria continues to stand out in the European labor market for both its low unemployment and the high employment rate among young graduates
Business | February 12, 2026, Thursday // 14:38
Bulgaria Sees Clear Deceleration in Inflation, Officials Report Stable Market
Bulgaria’s National Statistical Institute (NSI) has reported a visible deceleration in inflation, according to the latest Consumer Price Index, calculated on the basis of more than 40,000 price observations covering around 8,000 goods and services
How to Identify a Counterfeit Euro Banknote
Detecting a fake euro note does not require specialized tools or microscopes. By carefully examining, feeling, and tilting the banknote, you can verify its authenticity.
Bulgaria Nears Completion of Leva Withdrawal as 81% Taken Out of Circulation
As of February 6, 2026, Bulgaria continues to make steady progress in withdrawing the national currency, the leva, from circulation.
Bulgarian Central Bank Reports New 10-Year Government Debt Issue Worth €150 Million
Bulgaria has taken on new debt amounting to 150 million euros through the issuance of government securities, according to results published on the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) website.
Bulgaria One Month After the Euro: Inflation Slows, Budget Pressures Remain
The first month following the introduction of the euro and the period of dual circulation with the lev has now ended, providing a clearer picture of how the transition is unfolding.
Bulgaria: What Taxpayers Need to Know After the Euro Changeover
The annual campaign for filing personal income tax returns under Article 50 of the Personal Income Tax Act is underway
