Bulgarian Socialist Party legislator Atanas Atanasov confirmed his party possesses multiple viable presidential contenders spanning different generations, citing Vice President Iliyana Yotova as one prominent option alongside National Assembly figures Natalia Kiselova, Yanaki Stoilov and Krum Zarkov. The lawmaker emphasized his coalition's record of successfully fielding executive candidates while declining to endorse specific individuals publicly.
Atanasov defended the governing coalition's stability amid eurozone accession preparations and regional geopolitical uncertainty, characterizing the proposed budget as worker-focused legislation that prioritizes families. He justified mandatory social security contribution increases as necessary for system sustainability, noting employers bear 1.12 percent of the burden while workers contribute 0.88 percent. The representative argued that near-zero joblessness and expanding commercial activity justify the adjustment, framing insurance payments as earned benefits rather than taxation.
Atanasov defended the governing coalition's stability amid eurozone accession preparations and regional geopolitical uncertainty, characterizing the proposed budget as worker-focused legislation that prioritizes families. He justified mandatory social security contribution increases as necessary for system sustainability, noting employers bear 1.12 percent of the burden while workers contribute 0.88 percent. The representative argued that near-zero joblessness and expanding commercial activity justify the adjustment, framing insurance payments as earned benefits rather than taxation.
