site.btaDemocratic Bulgaria's Ideas for the 2025 Budget: Higher Taxes for Gambling and Civil Servants Paying Their Own Pension and Medical Insurance

Democratic Bulgaria, one of the partners in the Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria coalition in Parliament, proposes a two-fold increase in the changes for gambling and an increase in the tax gambling businesses pay from 15% to 20% in the draft budget for 2025. This is expected to generate additional revenue of BGN 100 million, MP Martin Dimitrov said at a press conference as the state budget is pending a conclusive vote.

"This budget [as proposed by the Finance Ministry] represents a very dangerous leftward turn," Dimitrov argued adding that the government wants to spend three times more than last year.

Democratic Bulgaria also want to see the debt ceiling reduced by BGN 7 billion to 12 billion. According to him, this 7 billion is "a blank check that the government wants to receive as additional loans to distribute to state-owned companies". "They want us to vote on BGN 7 billion in spending through state-owned companies, without knowing the specific projects behind them, only speculations in the media," he stated. "Important projects can be financed through state guarantees, but we do not sign blank checks," Dimitrov added.

Democratic Bulgaria co-leader Atanas Atanasov explained that they did not support the draft budget at first reading due to "this corruption hole of about BGN 7 billion." He suspects that this money will go to companies and entities that cater to the ruling parties.

Martin Dimitrov commented that the paragraph in the draft budget concerning the VAT threshold should also be removed, as what has been proposed represents "downright pressure and harassment" on small businesses.

Ivaylo Mirchev pointed out that they propose that state employees gradually start paying their social security contributions in 2025 - the idea is that they start by paying 7% and the employer 93%. According to Democratic Bulgaria's calculations, about 200,000 people would be affected by this measure.

Democratic Bulgaria also proposes that salary increases for the Interior Ministry be based on the average basic salary, not the average gross salary. This way, the increase will be 19%, not 50% as proposed in the government's bill. They find it "inappropriate in the current situation, when defense is a top priority, for the military to receive a 30% increase and police 50%".

Bozhidar Bozhanov noted that the proposals would save around BGN 700 million just from the reform in the Ministry of Interior.

"The effect of our proposals is an BGN 8 billion reduction in expenses, but the visible part - the deficit reported in statistics and which matters for the eurozone, will be reduced by about BGN 1 billion," explained Martin Dimitrov.

Alexander Simidchiev pointed out that they insist on additional funding for psychiatric care via redistribution of expenses. He suggested that this funding could come from the increased gambling tax.