Budget 2026 is a step towards more social justice and closing inequalities

“It is normal for the budget to draw criticism: the opposition criticises it, employers criticise it, for some it is too left-wing, for others there is nothing social about it. The truth is always somewhere in the middle.​ We are satisfied that part of the BSP proposals were accepted.. The minimum wage will be half of the national average, as the law requires.​ ​ ​ ​​. There is a European directive that gives clear references for this.​ ​ The second important point is the increase in the funds for maternity benefits for the second year.​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ It will not be as high as the minimum wage, which is what we want, but it is a step forward. Pensions are going up as well.​​, ​​.“ This was stated by the member of the BSP Executive Bureau and MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP Kristian Vigenin on Nova News. On the comments about increased taxes, he noted that it is normal and logical for people with higher incomes to have a higher contribution. ​ ​ ​ ​​ „These are small steps towards more social justice and closing inequalities”, the MEP stressed.​ ​ ​​

„It is very important that citizens have the assurance that the money collected from taxes is spent by the state in the interest of society, transparently and clearly, so as not to leave the impression that a resource is being generated which then goes to companies close to those in power ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​​​​ ​“, Vigenin warned.

He proposed that the government start a more active dialogue with employers organisations, in order to agree measures for economic growth and to support the competitiveness of Bulgarian business, in addition to what is already being done at European level.

On the topic of the sanctions against Lukoil, Kristian Vigenin believes the most important thing is to guarantee that Bulgaria will not be left without fuel.​ ​ ​ „The most logical thing is to take the appropriate steps and look for a solution so that the Bulgarian state acquires ownership of the refinery.​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ Acquiring a strategic asset for Bulgaria is always a good investment. It will bring revenue and will guarantee the security of the country. ​​​ ​“, is the view of the MEP. In his view, the necessary steps should be taken to seek a postponement of the sanctions for a certain period. ​ ​ ​ On the topic of the special manager appointed for Lukoil, Kristian Vigenin said that he is not familiar with the reasons for this figure to be exempted from administrative and judicial control, but that person is certainly not above the Constitution and the laws. ​​ ​​ ​

Asked about the disputes over the possible removal of figures from Bulgarian political life from the Magnitsky list, the member of the BSP Executive Bureau believes that this question is being commented on far too much.​ ​ ​ ​​ ​ ​ In his view, the whole country cannot be busy with getting someone taken off the list, there are clear appeal procedures. “Being put on a sanctions list usually means economic and political death. We see that in Bulgaria this is not the case”, Vigenin added. ​

On the question of the European integration of the Republic of North Macedonia, Kristian Vigenin believes that Prime Minister Mickoski in fact does not want his country to be part of the European Union: “Because that means more openness, more control over everything the government does. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​​​​​​​​​. The second point is that he is trying to buy guarantees in advance that whatever he does afterwards, there will be no blockage from Bulgaria or another country. He says, yes, we may include the Bulgarians in the constitution, but we want guarantees that there will be no further requirements. That is not possible. There are clear criteria that have to be met.​​ ” The MEP said that there is no way for the Republic of North Macedonia to continue on the path of accession to the EU without meeting the membership criteria set in advance.