After an all-night sitting, lawmakers adopted the state budget

After nearly 20 hours of debate, the MPs conclusively adopted the state budget on July 28. They redirected part of the capital expenditure to salary expenditure. The money for salaries in emergency medical care and the Regional Health Inspectorates was increased by BGN 30 million.

Another BGN 1.5 million has been earmarked for higher salaries in the Bulgarian National Radio, BGN 20 million for additional payments to farmers, BGN 8 million for salary increases in the Forestry Agency and the Food Safety Agency.

The money earmarked for salary increases in the Ministry of Interior and the State Agency for National Security amounts to BGN 157.2 million. Nearly BGN 11.5 million will be earmarked for salary increases in the justice sector, specifically for prison guards and the General Directorate of Security.

BGN 25 million have been allocated for pay rise in the systems of customs and revenue collection. There will also be an increase in the salaries of the military, for which BGN 75 million were allocated.

The MPs have also set aside an additional BGN 7.8 million for the payment of a one-off aid of BGN 300 to parents of fifth-grade pupils.

During the adoption of the state budget, each of the political parties presented their demands for adjustments in the budget.

The state budget was drafted with macroeconomic indicators set at 1.8% economic growth and 8.7% average annual inflation. Yesterday, however, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) cut its GDP growth forecast to 1%.

A number of tax laws were also changed through the state budget. Excise duties on e-cigarettes containing or not containing nicotine were increased. All companies with staff of more than 100 people will have to pay their salaries by bank transfer.

In this regard, Finance Minister Assen Vassilev assured that ATMs will be placed in every branch of Bulgarian Posts even in small settlements for the convenience of the people. Withdrawing money from salary will not be charged.

A dispute in the plenary chamber led to rapid termination of the discussion on article one of the state budget. A proposal was therefore made by the BSP for Bulgaria. The MPs approved it. However, this outraged "Vazrazhdane", which led to an exchange of remarks between the party members and the chairman of the budget committee from the MRF - Yordan Tsonev.

Immediately after the adoption of the budget, Finance Minister Assen Vassilev thanked the MPs and told reporters that the adopted budget was within the originally set limits and he was satisfied with it. Vassilev also pointed out that the budget has enough buffers to shave off the difference in growth projected by the central bank,at 1%, since the budget was drafted at 1.8%.