site.btaPublic Opinion Is Against New Debts and High Deficits - Poll

The public opinion is against new government debts and high deficits, and the prospect of a tax hike alarms citizens, according to the findings of an independent phone survey conducted by the new sociological agency Myara, as reported to BTA.

The survey was conducted between December 21 and 22 among 800 adult respondents.

Public attitudes towards fiscal policy lean more toward stability rather than spending. When asked to choose between the options "It is more important for the budget to focus on the country’s economic stability" versus "It is more important for the budget to focus on social support for citizens," 62.4% favored stability, while 33.3% prioritized social support. The rest were undecided.

A clear majority of 74.6% agreed with the view that the country faces a real risk of severe financial shocks. Against this backdrop, 85.9% of respondents shared the opinion that the state administration in Bulgaria should be reduced. "This is near-unanimity about that in the Bulgarian society," Myara said.

The data further reveal that 78.6% of respondents oppose taking on new debts. Additionally, 60.2% are against an extension of the tax relief for restaurateurs, while 32.8% approve of such measures. Regarding a sharp salary increase for employees in the security sector, 50% are opposed, compared to 43.5% who support the idea, the survey indicates.