The Coordinating Council of CITUB expresses its complete disappointment and categorical protest against the irresponsible decision of the National Assembly not to adopt the state budget laws, the Social Security Budget and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) budget for 2026.

Instead of a stable macroeconomic and budget framework guaranteeing income growth, maintenance and investments, the legislative branch chose the path of political impotence, adopting an "extension law" of Budget 2025, which will apply for at least three months, with the possibility of extending into the first half of 2026. This decision is not just a technical procedure – it is a direct assault on the living standards of hundreds of thousands of working Bulgarians in the public sector – secondary and higher education, healthcare, state administration, agriculture, environment,  land and rail transport, culture, defense and security, postal services, etc.

Therefore, CITUB categorically states:

1. Freezing wages is unacceptable: By rejecting Budget 2026, the planned income increases in the public sector with a general, horizontal policy of 10% are cancelled. The planned EUR 1 billion in the draft budget for 2026 for the wage growth of nearly 600,000 workers (470,000 in the public sector and 126,000 in state and municipal enterprises) is no longer there, which will burden both them and their families.

Instead, the "extension law" provides for indexation of incomes in the amount of the accumulated annual inflation for 2025, which CITUB insists should be calculated using the "consumer price index". This will allow income growth to reach at least 5%. Otherwise, whichever other indicator is used, the wage growth will not even be that much.

It is important to say that however this inflation is measured, the increase will be extremely insufficient, whether it is 3.7% or 5.2%. In the conditions of constantly rising prices of basic necessities and high utility costs during the winter months, this decision dooms thousands of families to energy and consumer poverty.

2. A blow is dealt to key sectors: The lack of a new budget puts the functioning of strategic sectors at risk. Tension in transport, healthcare, education, state administration, social services, culture, the water and sanitation sector, agriculture and postal services is already at a critical point. The lack of funds for adequate remuneration of labor will lead to mass departures of specialists and a collapse of public services.

3. A risk to economic stability under the conditions of the introduction of the euro is created: At a time when our country is in the final stretch towards Eurozone membership, the lack of budget predictability and social tension send a disastrous signal to international partners and undermine economic stability. Social peace cannot be sacrificed for political games.

Taking into account the alarming situation in the country and growing political uncertainty, the CC of CITUB warns that social tension in the coming months will intensify. The trade union declares full readiness to organize and lead national, branch and regional protests, as well as strike action in enterprises, in order to protect the rights and incomes of Bulgarian citizens. We will not allow the bill for political instability to be paid by the Bulgarian worker once again!