Political Tension Escalates as Bulgaria’s Central Bank Rejects “Vazrazhdane” Party’s Alleged Interference

In a recent event that has stirred political debate in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has strongly condemned an attempt by the “Vazrazhdane” political party to interfere with its operations. On Monday, representatives from the party approached the BNB’s headquarters, demanding a meeting with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation they believed was in the country to manipulate the nation’s budget data.

According to “Vazrazhdane,” the IMF’s mission allegedly had a hidden agenda to falsify data related to the country’s budget deficit, particularly focusing on the fourth-quarter financial figures for 2024. The party claimed that the goal was to artificially improve the budget parameters for the coming year, 2025, aligning them with the Maastricht deficit criterion. Furthermore, they accused Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, of orchestrating the move.

The BNB reacted swiftly, addressing the situation in an official statement. The central bank emphasized its unwavering commitment to maintaining independence from political influence. In the statement, the BNB clearly denounced any efforts to manipulate its activities or to conduct political actions within its premises. The institution highlighted that both Bulgarian law and European regulations prohibit such actions and asserted that any political dispute should be addressed in the National Assembly, rather than within the BNB building.

The bank’s management reaffirmed the BNB’s role as an independent institution, emphasizing that such interference not only violates legal norms but also undermines the institutional order of the country. The BNB further called on the Bulgarian Parliament and other competent state bodies to ensure that the bank’s statutory mandate is upheld without political pressure, in line with the law.

This incident marks a significant development in the ongoing tensions between the political establishment and key national institutions in Bulgaria, highlighting concerns over the integrity of financial governance and the political landscape. As the political party continues to make bold claims, the government is expected to face increasing scrutiny over the actions of independent institutions like the BNB.

The situation continues to unfold as both political figures and financial experts closely monitor the next steps in this escalating controversy. The BNB’s strong stance underscores its determination to operate free from political influence, ensuring the country’s financial stability remains intact.