Progressive Bulgaria’s proposed changes to pensions and party financing triggered a fierce political clash, with opposition parties accusing the government of balancing public finances at the expense of retirees and democratic institutions.
The dispute erupted during a meeting of the parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee, which was reviewing the so-called extended budget for 2026. Among the approved measures were a reduction in the state subsidy for political parties from €4.09 to €3 per vote, the annual 7.8% increase in pensions under the Swiss rule, and changes to the COVID-era pension supplement. The supplement of 60 leva, introduced during the pandemic, will no longer be included in the calculation of newly granted pensions from July 1 and will not be indexed for existing pensioners.
The sharpest reactions followed comments by Budget Committee Chairman Konstantin Prodanov of Progressive Bulgaria, who defended the measure by arguing that “not all pensioners will die of hunger because of these two euros per month.” The statement immediately drew condemnation from opposition lawmakers, who accused the government of showing disregard for the financial difficulties faced by elderly citizens.
