Federation of Transport Trade Unions (FTTU) recalls that already at the end of last year it issued clear and categorical warnings that the refusal to adopt a state budget would lead to serious social tension, collapse in key public sectors, and inevitable protest actions.

Instead of a stable macroeconomic and budgetary framework guaranteeing income growth, adequate maintenance, and sustainable investments, the National Assembly chose the path of political helplessness, adopting the so-called "extension law" of Budget 2025, which will apply for at least three months, with a real risk of dragging on until the middle of 2026.

What this means for workers:

The refusal to adopt a budget for 2026 has severe and directly measurable consequences for public sector workers:

• Wage freeze and the collapse of the planned 10% increase;

• Lack of over €1 billion allocated for salary growth of nearly 600,000 workers;

• Indexation of incomes with inflation of around 3–5%, which is extremely insufficient against the backdrop of constantly growing prices and increasing cost of living;

• Escalating social tension and a real risk of mass protest actions in the public sector.

According to information released in the public space and the media, a real hazard is already being discussed that in part of the municipal enterprises there could be difficulties or impossibility to pay labor remuneration in the coming months, if urgent financial solutions are not provided. Such a scenario is unacceptable and threatens social peace.

Critical situation in public transport:

The lack of budgetary predictability deepens the crisis in public transport – not only in the capital, but also across the whole country.

Municipal transport companies continue to lack adequate funding, which leads to:

• Impossibility for a real increase in wages;

• Underfunded spending for the maintenance of rolling stock, depots, and transport infrastructure;

• continuing shortage of drivers, mechanics, and technical staff;

• Extremely harsh working conditions – outdated and worn-out rolling stock, lack of normal sanitary and living conditions, high levels of stress and workload for workers.

The shortage of funds is particularly tangible in the public transport of Sofia, Varna, Ruse, Pleven, and other large cities, where municipal budgets are put under serious pressure, and transport operators function on the verge of survival. The risk of layoffs, reduction of routes, and deterioration of the transport service for citizens is completely real.

Position of FTTU:

The lack of budgetary predictability and social stability poses a serious threat both to the country's economy and to trust in state institutions.

Federation of Transport Trade Unions clearly states that the lack of budget inevitably leads to social tension.

FTTU categorically does not accept that workers should pay the price of political irresponsibility!