From January 2026: Minimum Wage in Bulgaria to Rise by 12.6%, Reaching 620 Euros
The Bulgarian government has finalized the minimum wage for 2026, setting it at 1,213 leva (620.20 euros) per month, effective January 1
The "Revival" party has also declined GERB's invitation for negotiations to form a government with the first mandate. In a detailed statement to the media, "Revival" clarified their position, emphasizing that they will only support a government formed under their own mandate.
Their statement outlined that, should "Revival" receive a mandate after the first and second attempts fail, they plan to send invitations to all parliamentary forces for talks, explicitly excluding the DPS. The party laid out five non-negotiable conditions for forming a cabinet. These conditions include holding a referendum on preserving the Bulgarian lev, as well as another referendum to decide on leaving NATO.
Additionally, "Revival" demands the lifting of sanctions against the Russian Federation and financial compensation for Bulgarian entrepreneurs who have suffered due to these sanctions. They also insist on ending the provision of military aid to Ukraine and preventing Bulgaria from becoming involved in the military conflict by sending a Bulgarian military contingent.
Furthermore, "Revival" calls for the convening of a negotiating team to renegotiate the conditions of Bulgaria's membership in the European Union, which they argue are currently not beneficial to the country. The party believes that these steps are crucial to forming a government that truly represents and acts in the best interest of Bulgaria and its citizens.
This stance from "Revival" adds another layer of complexity to the already challenging process of forming a new government, as they firmly set their conditions and exclude certain parties from their proposed negotiations. Earlier today, "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) declined an invitation to participate in government formation negotiations with GERB
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov admitted that he does not consider the draft state budget for 2026 to be a good one, yet described it as the only feasible option under the current geopolitical and domestic circumstances
The Bulgarian government has approved the draft State Budget Act for 2026, along with the updated Medium-Term Budget Forecast for 2026–2028
GERB leader Boyko Borissov said he was certain that Bulgaria would obtain a derogation related to the application of US sanctions against Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft
Starting today, Blagomir Kotsev officially resumes his role as mayor of Varna, putting an end to the period of substitution
Bulgaria is set to receive the third disbursement under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan before the end of the year
Sea trials have begun for Bulgaria’s first multipurpose modular patrol vessel for the Navy, marking another step in the modernization of the country’s maritime defense capabilities
Bulgaria's Strategic Role in the EU's Drone Wall Defense Initiative
When Politics Means Violence