Parliament finally adopted the state budget for 2024. The MPs voted that the minimum fiscal reserve by the end of next year should be BGN 4.5 billion. Bulgaria will be able to take on a new debt of up to BGN 11 billion and 70 million. Capital expenditure is set at approximately BGN 10 billion and BGN 1 billion is planned for municipal investment projects.
The MPs also approved higher fees for the gambling industry and a new methodology for their calculation. According to forecasts, this will bring about BGN 200 million more to theTreasury.
In the National Assembly, it was approved that the one-time birth allowance will be BGN 375, and BGN 900 will be for a second child. A one-time allowance of BGN 300 is provided for students.
The subsidy for 1 valid vote received in the elections remains BGN 8. MPs approved that contracts with construction companies can be indexed during inflation, which has substantially raised the prices of materials, goods and services. The total possible increase is expected to be up to 50% under the main contract.
In the 2024 Budget, it was also announced that next year the government will organize the construction of a National Multiprofile Children’s Hospital in Sofia.
An investment program for municipal projects was also approved, for which BGN 1 billion has been allocated. After this last vote, Finance Minister Assen Vassilev stated: „When work is done transparently and mayors and local authorities are given the opportunity to say what is important to them and their fellow citizens, all of us in this National Assembly, no matter how different we are, can come together and support these efforts. Thank you for that.“
In conclusion, Minister Vassilev stated that the 2024 Budget is realistic, but difficult to implement.
