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🇧🇬🇸🇾 Info ops, security, hybrid warfare. Editor, Security & Defense @capitalbg. Non-Resident Fellow @DFRLab. @remilitari co-founder.

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Today, major protests erupted in Sofia against the adoption of Bulgaria's 2026 state budget (criticized also by the EU). The opposition coalition "We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria" (PP-DB) organized a major demonstration that blocked traffic in the so-called "Triangle of Power" - the area near the National Assembly, Presidency, and Council of Ministers. The protest started at 6:00 PM, with people gathering earlier to watch the parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee meeting. There's a significant police presence in the area. Bulgaria's 2026 budget has been labeled "the worst budget in more than twenty-five years" by opposition politicians and economists, who compare it to the catastrophic economic failures of the 1990s under Socialist Prime Minister Zhan Videnov. The budget faces criticism from multiple fronts—opposition parties, trade unions, employers' organizations, and even the European Commission. The budget violates Bulgaria's own Public Finance Act, with expenses exceeding the legal threshold of 40% of GDP (reaching 40.8%). The planned structural deficit of 3% significantly surpasses the legally permitted 1%, and the European Commission has warned that Bulgaria risks failing to meet EU fiscal requirements. The EU specifically flagged Bulgaria as one of three countries at risk of deviating from recommended net expenditure trajectories. Opposition leaders describe the budget as a "war on the middle class" and an "economic tsunami" that directly threatens businesses. Critics highlight increased taxes on dividends, higher social security contributions, and a controversial requirement forcing all commercial entities to adopt state-approved software by January 1—a measure previously canceled in 2020. The government is also shifting the burden of social security contributions for state officials and Supreme Judicial Council members onto businesses and private sector workers. The budget has been criticized for completely abandoning structural reforms while maintaining "inefficient spending of public funds in unreformed systems". Opposition parties claim they proposed 30-40 reform-oriented measures, none of which were implemented. The budget allegedly creates a discretionary fund of 5 billion leva for unchecked government spending, which critics warn will deepen social inequality and potentially expand Bulgaria's shadow economy.

Today, major protests erupted in Sofia against the adoption of Bulgaria's 2026 state budget (criticized also by the EU). The opposition coalition "We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria" (PP-DB) organized a major demonstration that blocked traffic in the so-called "Triangle of Power" - the area near the National Assembly, Presidency, and Council of Ministers. The protest started at 6:00 PM, with people gathering earlier to watch the parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee meeting. There's a significant police presence in the area. Bulgaria's 2026 budget has been labeled "the worst budget in more than twenty-five years" by opposition politicians and economists, who compare it to the catastrophic economic failures of the 1990s under Socialist Prime Minister Zhan Videnov. The budget faces criticism from multiple fronts—opposition parties, trade unions, employers' organizations, and even the European Commission. The budget violates Bulgaria's own Public Finance Act, with expenses exceeding the legal threshold of 40% of GDP (reaching 40.8%). The planned structural deficit of 3% significantly surpasses the legally permitted 1%, and the European Commission has warned that Bulgaria risks failing to meet EU fiscal requirements. The EU specifically flagged Bulgaria as one of three countries at risk of deviating from recommended net expenditure trajectories. Opposition leaders describe the budget as a "war on the middle class" and an "economic tsunami" that directly threatens businesses. Critics highlight increased taxes on dividends, higher social security contributions, and a controversial requirement forcing all commercial entities to adopt state-approved software by January 1—a measure previously canceled in 2020. The government is also shifting the burden of social security contributions for state officials and Supreme Judicial Council members onto businesses and private sector workers. The budget has been criticized for completely abandoning structural reforms while maintaining "inefficient spending of public funds in unreformed systems". Opposition parties claim they proposed 30-40 reform-oriented measures, none of which were implemented. The budget allegedly creates a discretionary fund of 5 billion leva for unchecked government spending, which critics warn will deepen social inequality and potentially expand Bulgaria's shadow economy.

15,478 görüntüleme

Aftermath of clashes in Sofia - more are expected soon as protesters are gathering in different parts of the central part of the city.

Aftermath of clashes in Sofia - more are expected soon as protesters are gathering in different parts of the central part of the city.

11,167 görüntüleme

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When asked if he would remove his pro-Ukrainian cover from his Facebook profile, Bulgaria's defense minister Tagarev said yes, when Ukraine gets back all its territories.

127,427 görüntüleme • 2 yıl önce

Escalation in Sofia and clashes between protesters and police in the area of DPS party, led by the sanctioned oligarch Delyan Peevski - he is the main reason behind the anger because his influence over the politics and the controversial proposed state budget.

Escalation in Sofia and clashes between protesters and police in the area of DPS party, led by the sanctioned oligarch Delyan Peevski - he is the main reason behind the anger because his influence over the politics and the controversial proposed state budget.

17,008 görüntüleme • 7 ay önce

Today, major protests erupted in Sofia against the adoption of Bulgaria's 2026 state budget (criticized also by the EU). The opposition coalition "We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria" (PP-DB) organized a major demonstration that blocked traffic in the so-called "Triangle of Power" - the area near the National Assembly, Presidency, and Council of Ministers. The protest started at 6:00 PM, with people gathering earlier to watch the parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee meeting. There's a significant police presence in the area. Bulgaria's 2026 budget has been labeled "the worst budget in more than twenty-five years" by opposition politicians and economists, who compare it to the catastrophic economic failures of the 1990s under Socialist Prime Minister Zhan Videnov. The budget faces criticism from multiple fronts—opposition parties, trade unions, employers' organizations, and even the European Commission. The budget violates Bulgaria's own Public Finance Act, with expenses exceeding the legal threshold of 40% of GDP (reaching 40.8%). The planned structural deficit of 3% significantly surpasses the legally permitted 1%, and the European Commission has warned that Bulgaria risks failing to meet EU fiscal requirements. The EU specifically flagged Bulgaria as one of three countries at risk of deviating from recommended net expenditure trajectories. Opposition leaders describe the budget as a "war on the middle class" and an "economic tsunami" that directly threatens businesses. Critics highlight increased taxes on dividends, higher social security contributions, and a controversial requirement forcing all commercial entities to adopt state-approved software by January 1—a measure previously canceled in 2020. The government is also shifting the burden of social security contributions for state officials and Supreme Judicial Council members onto businesses and private sector workers. The budget has been criticized for completely abandoning structural reforms while maintaining "inefficient spending of public funds in unreformed systems". Opposition parties claim they proposed 30-40 reform-oriented measures, none of which were implemented. The budget allegedly creates a discretionary fund of 5 billion leva for unchecked government spending, which critics warn will deepen social inequality and potentially expand Bulgaria's shadow economy.

Today, major protests erupted in Sofia against the adoption of Bulgaria's 2026 state budget (criticized also by the EU). The opposition coalition "We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria" (PP-DB) organized a major demonstration that blocked traffic in the so-called "Triangle of Power" - the area near the National Assembly, Presidency, and Council of Ministers. The protest started at 6:00 PM, with people gathering earlier to watch the parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee meeting. There's a significant police presence in the area. Bulgaria's 2026 budget has been labeled "the worst budget in more than twenty-five years" by opposition politicians and economists, who compare it to the catastrophic economic failures of the 1990s under Socialist Prime Minister Zhan Videnov. The budget faces criticism from multiple fronts—opposition parties, trade unions, employers' organizations, and even the European Commission. The budget violates Bulgaria's own Public Finance Act, with expenses exceeding the legal threshold of 40% of GDP (reaching 40.8%). The planned structural deficit of 3% significantly surpasses the legally permitted 1%, and the European Commission has warned that Bulgaria risks failing to meet EU fiscal requirements. The EU specifically flagged Bulgaria as one of three countries at risk of deviating from recommended net expenditure trajectories. Opposition leaders describe the budget as a "war on the middle class" and an "economic tsunami" that directly threatens businesses. Critics highlight increased taxes on dividends, higher social security contributions, and a controversial requirement forcing all commercial entities to adopt state-approved software by January 1—a measure previously canceled in 2020. The government is also shifting the burden of social security contributions for state officials and Supreme Judicial Council members onto businesses and private sector workers. The budget has been criticized for completely abandoning structural reforms while maintaining "inefficient spending of public funds in unreformed systems". Opposition parties claim they proposed 30-40 reform-oriented measures, none of which were implemented. The budget allegedly creates a discretionary fund of 5 billion leva for unchecked government spending, which critics warn will deepen social inequality and potentially expand Bulgaria's shadow economy.

15,478 görüntüleme • 7 ay önce

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