Consultations with the President: “We Continue the Change” Pushes for Income Growth Above Inflation

President Iliana Yotova continued consultations with parliamentary forces by meeting representatives of “We Continue the Change” (PP) at the presidency, as part of the constitutional procedure ahead of handing over the first mandate to form a government. Opening the talks, she pointed to the high expectations following the elections and stressed that the next phase would be more demanding, particularly given the urgent need to address the state budget. As she noted, “The elections are over and from here the more difficult part begins,” adding that Bulgaria is in an unusual situation of operating under two extended budgets, which has complicated governance in recent months.

Yotova called for clarity on how a new budget could be shaped in the short term, emphasizing that financial policy cannot be delayed. She acknowledged the efforts of the caretaker administration under difficult conditions but made clear that responsibility now shifts to the newly elected parliament. The meeting took place after similar consultations with other parliamentary groups, as the presidency moves toward completing the process within a tight timeline.

Asen Vassilev, representing PP, said the election outcome reflected clear public expectations, including those expressed during protests at the end of last year. According to him, one of the main signals from voters was the need to dismantle what he described as the previous governance model associated with Boyko Borissov and Delyan Peevski. He argued that this includes revisiting the issue of state-provided security, proposing that such protections should require parliamentary approval. “The way of governing the state that Borissov and Peevski imposed must end,” Vassilev said, adding that a bill on the matter has already been submitted.

He also raised concerns about the current Supreme Judicial Council, proposing a moratorium on its appointments until a new composition is selected. Vassilev pointed out that dozens of procedures for court leadership positions are currently underway, which he described as problematic given the council’s expiring mandate. In his view, “this is unlawful” and should be halted until institutional renewal takes place.

On economic policy, Vassilev highlighted the management of public finances as a central challenge. Drawing on his previous experience as finance minister, he argued that reforms and improved revenue collection can help contain the deficit while supporting growth. He warned that external factors, including escalating tensions in the Middle East, could drive inflation higher, making income policy critical. “The best defense is to make sure that incomes, especially of the most vulnerable groups, grow faster than inflation,” he said, adding that this could be achieved by limiting inefficiencies in public spending.

Nikolai Denkov focused on the issue of justice, linking the strong election result of “Progressive Bulgaria” to public demand for institutional reform. He stressed that the effectiveness of bodies such as the Supreme Judicial Council and the Anti-Corruption Commission depends not only on their structure but also on the integrity and professionalism of their members. “It is important how we fill these institutions with people who have both expertise and morality,” Denkov said, warning that without credible appointments, reforms would remain ineffective.

He outlined several immediate priorities, including preparing procedures for selecting new members of the judicial council, its inspectorate, and the anti-corruption body. According to Denkov, these steps are essential not only for domestic governance but also for meeting conditions tied to European funding. He added that strengthening these institutions is key to restoring accountability, noting that “right now it seems like criminals are not afraid of anything.”

The consultations with PP come toward the end of a full day of meetings with all parliamentary groups. Expectations remain that the first mandate will be handed to “Progressive Bulgaria” in the coming days, with indications that a new government could be proposed quickly and potentially approved before the end of the week.