02.07.2025
Stricter control on major road arteries, tougher penalties for violators, and better organization of traffic during the summer months. This was ordered by Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov at the start of today’s Cabinet meeting. In the context of summer holidays and the increased flow of traffic toward the Black Sea and the border crossings with Greece, he emphasized that the government would not allow chaos or a sense of lack of control on the roads. Regarding driving in emergency lanes, the Prime Minister instructed intensified enforcement and the imposition of maximum fines.
“It is important not to allow conditions for accidents or a perception of disorganization. The control authorities must be proactive, and the sanctions – timely,” stated Rossen Jeliazkov. He noted that he and Interior Minister Daniel Mitov held working meetings to coordinate the measures. The number of patrol teams will be increased, including in sections with reduced throughput capacity due to repairs, infrastructure constraints, or organizational deficiencies.
The Prime Minister also announced additional proposals for traffic monitoring, which will be presented next week. Some of them will include long-term solutions. “The government will not be taking a holiday this summer – the same applies to the control authorities,” Rossen Jeliazkov underlined.
In addition, the Prime Minister drew attention to the financial framework and the budget execution as of the end of May. Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova presented up-to-date data on the status of the consolidated fiscal program. According to her, from the beginning of the year until 31 May 2025, revenues amounted to BGN 31.5 billion, or 34.9% of the annual plan. This represents an increase of over BGN 3.2 billion (11.5%) compared to the same period last year, with tax revenues contributing the most – up 15.1%.
Expenditures for the period amounted to BGN 34.1 billion, an increase of over BGN 4.8 billion compared to 2024. The main expenditure items are social payments, pensions, personnel costs, capital investments, and subsidies. “All these expenses are the result of laws and policies already adopted, which we are obliged to implement,” Petkova stressed.
The Finance Minister recalled that the Cabinet took office in a situation without an adopted state budget and undertook urgent measures to stabilize public finances. According to her, the budget balance as of 31 May is negative – amounting to BGN 2.6 billion, or 1.2% of GDP, with a planned annual deficit of 3%. Of this, about BGN 1.9 billion are under the national budget and nearly BGN 700 million – under EU programs.
“The measures adopted by the National Revenue Agency and the Customs Agency came into force on 1 May. The expected effect of these will be felt in practice during the second half of the year. Therefore, no premature conclusions should be drawn. Our priority is stability and responsibility toward public finances,” Petkova added. She described as “provocations” and “contradictory interpretations” some of the public commentary on the budget topic. “Our main priority is to stabilize the country’s public finances and to overcome all the negative consequences resulting from the management of the very same people who are now greatly concerned about revenue performance. We are determined, and we will succeed,” Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova concluded emphatically.
