National Assembly adopts the state budget at second reading

The National Assembly has concluded the voting on the second reading of the budgets for key state institutions and departments. The adoption of the financial plan was achieved with the support of 125 deputies from "Progressive Bulgaria," while representatives of GERB-SDS, DPS, "Democratic Bulgaria," "We Continue the Change," and "Vazrazhdane" voted against it.

Deputies approved the budgets of the judiciary, the National Assembly, the Administration of the President, the Council of Ministers, the National Audit Office, the Constitutional Court, the Ombudsman, as well as individual ministries, agencies, and commissions. The budgets of BNT, BNR, BTA, the Council for Electronic Media, and municipalities across the country were also adopted.

During the voting, several proposals from parliamentary groups were rejected. Among them was the initiative by "Vazrazhdane" to redirect 17 million euros from the Ministry of Interior's budget for aid to Ukraine toward supporting Bulgarian communities abroad. Proposals from GERB-SDS, "We Continue the Change," and "Vazrazhdane" for additional funding for student scholarships, which politicians claim have remained at a low level since their introduction in 1999, were also not adopted.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance was also present in the plenary hall, presenting details regarding the financial framework. The voting on the remaining texts in the state budget bill is ongoing.