“We are not going to have double-digit inflation in the country,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Assen Bassilev stated in response to criticism during the discussion of the draft state budget in parliament.

Minister Vassilev said he expected prices to stop growing by April, but added that the inflation rate will depend on how the conflict in Ukraine will develop and what action the US will take. He stated further that more money can only be allocated to the police, firefighters and the people working in the sphere of culture if there are reforms.

The budgets of public service media – Bulgarian National TV, BNT, and Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, sparked a controversy in the National Assembly. The ruling coalition want 2 million Leva to be taken from BNT, 1 million of which to be handed over to the BNR for its orchestras and choirs. According to the parliamentary majority the financing demanded by the BNT is not justified.