The National Council for Tripartite Cooperation discussed future changes to the state budget for 2021.

The caretaker cabinet is proposing a 12.5% increase in pensions as of 1 October. “The raise is not going to jeopardize the country’s finances and does not require an increase in taxes,” commented Finance Minister Assen Vassilev.

An additional 1 billion euro of revenues and 900 million euro of additional costs are budgeted for. The deficit will shrink down from 3.9% to 3.6%.

Minister Vassilev requested that the regulation of the minimum threshold of social security contributions be pegged to the increase in the average salary.

Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria leader Plamen Dimitrov supported the proposals. The trade unions propose that public transport be subsidized, as well as an increase in food vouchers for employees.