MPs extend Budget 2022, cancel 0,25 BGN fuel rebate from Jan 1, 2023

From 1 January, the measure of 0,25 BGN discount on fuels will cease, Bulgaria’s Parliament decided after rejecting the “We Continue the Change” proposal to include it in the extended 2022 budget.

"The National Revenue Agency (NRA) will now have to make all consumers aware that from January 1, 2023, there will be no 25 cent fuel rebate. Don't you have a backup plan? To be able to pay the way it is being paid now through the NRA - the Council of Ministers cannot assign functions to the NRA as the functions of the NRA are set out in a law and only the National Assembly can assign functions to the NRA. There is no way this measure can continue," said Rositsa Velkova, caretaker finance minister.

After two days of discussion, MPs conclusively passed the extension of Budget 2022.

Parliament banned the government from paying expenses with EU funds and money from the Silver Fund. The caretaker Minister of Finance said that there is no danger for the payment of pensions because the necessary funds are available from national funding. The proposal by “We Continue the Change” that the first two days of sick leave should be paid by employers was not accepted.

The proposal to update pensions every year according to the Swiss rule (by 50% of the previous year's inflation, whether positive or negative, and by 50% of the growth of the average contributory income).was also rejected.

The meeting, the weekly programme and the NA session ended with the adoption of amendments to the labour migration law on first reading, giving third-country nationals the right to obtain an accelerated Blue Card for work.