Latest News from Bulgaria
'The Eurozone Is On Our Doorstep' - Bulgarian PM
Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev emphasized that Bulgaria is on the verge of joining the eurozone, stating that it is "on our doorstep." During the first government meeting of the year, he highlighted Bulgaria's progress toward meeting the eurozone membership criteria, with the country set to fulfill the fourth condition—price stability—within days.
Bulgarian Politics: GERB Pursues Government Talks with BSP and TISP, Leaves Door Open for DB
GERB's executive committee has decided to continue government negotiations with "BSP - United Left" and "There Is Such a People" (TISP), with the nomination of Rosen Zhelyazkov for prime minister. Zhelyazkov will also lead the negotiations for a potential government formation.
23 Days of Searching: No Trace Found of Missing 13-Year-Old Nikolay
For the 23rd consecutive day, authorities in Bulgaria continue their search for 13-year-old Nikolay, a boy with Down Syndrome who went missing from the village of Konare. Despite extensive efforts, there has been no sign of the missing child.
Kazakh National Company Bids for Russian-Owned Lukoil Neftokhim Refinery in Bulgaria
KazMunayGas, the state-owned oil company of Kazakhstan, is reportedly taking part in a tender to acquire the Bulgarian-based refinery of Russian oil giant Lukoil, known as Lukoil Neftokhim Burgas. According to Bloomberg and 24 Chasa, which cite two sources familiar with the negotiations, KazMunayGas has submitted an offer in the ongoing sale process.
TurkStream carries over 104 bln cubic meters of gas in 5 years
Over the course of five years, the TurkStream Natural Gas Pipeline transported a total of 104.1 billion cubic meters of gas, delivering Russian natural gas reserves to Türkiye and onward to Europe.
Between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2024, approximately 44.4 billion cubic meters of gas flowed to Türkiye and 59.8 billion cubic meters to Europe through the TurkStream gas pipeline.
Unconfirmed: Renewed Government Talks Underway in Bulgaria
Unofficial reports suggest that negotiations between GERB, "Democratic Bulgaria," "BSP - United Left," and "There is Such a People" are set to resume. The discussions, expected to be intense, will reportedly continue until Friday, according to information from the Presidential Council.
Bulgaria Mourns the Loss of Renowned Sports Journalist Petar Vassilev
Petar Vassilev, the renowned Bulgarian sports journalist affectionately known as Petela (The Rooster), has passed away at the age of 64, as confirmed by Bulgarian National Television (BNT). Vassilev was a respected figure in Bulgarian sports journalism and a beloved member of the BNT sports editorial team, where he worked for over three decades.
Bulgaria Braces for Flu Epidemic as Peak Approaches in February
Bulgaria is entering the initial stages of a flu epidemic, with the peak expected in early February, according to Chief State Inspector Assoc. Prof. Dr. Angel Kunchev. He explained that while no single flu strain is currently dominant, the Thai strain has the potential to become the leading one this season.
Eight Bulgarians Set to Attend Trump’s Inauguration
Eight Bulgarians have reportedly received invitations to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States, set to take place on January 20 at the Capitol. Among those invited are Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, former Prime Minister and GERB leader Boyko Borisov, and Stoyan Denchev, the long-serving rector of UNIBIT. Also invited is Assoc. Prof.
January 8 Forecast: Clear Weather with South-Southwesterly Winds
The weather across Bulgaria on January 8 is expected to be predominantly sunny. Light to moderate winds will blow from the south-southwest. Morning temperatures will range between -1°C and 4°C, with slightly higher values in Eastern Bulgaria. In Sofia, the early low is forecast at 0°C. Daytime highs will vary between 12°C and 17°C, while Sofia will reach 11°C.
Bulgaria Meets Key Maastricht Criteria for Eurozone Membership
Bulgaria is currently meeting the Maastricht criteria required for eurozone membership, with its macroeconomic indicators indicating a stable path toward adopting the euro by 2024. According to data from Eurostat, inflation in Bulgaria has remained consistently below 3% for several consecutive months, fulfilling one of the key conditions for joining the single currency.
Bulgaria’s Unemployment Drops to 3.9%, EU Holds Steady at 5.9%
Unemployment in Bulgaria decreased to 3.9% in November 2024, down from 4.0% in October and significantly lower than the 4.4% recorded in November 2023, according to Eurostat data.
ECHR Rules in Favor of Elena Yoncheva, Orders Bulgaria to Pay Compensation
Bulgarian MEP Elena Yoncheva has won her case against Bulgaria at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, which ruled that the Bulgarian prosecutor's office violated her presumption of innocence when it publicly announced charges against her. The court found that the prosecutor's office violated her rights and ordered Bulgaria to pay her compensation.
Political Deadlock Persists as GERB and DB Decline to Address Cabinet Talks
Members of Parliament resumed their duties following the Christmas recess, with key meetings scheduled for the budget and finance, as well as legal committees. Among the critical items on the agenda is the legal committee's review of proposed changes to the Judiciary Act, an issue tied to ongoing governance negotiations.
'Democratic Bulgaria' Pushes for Improved Vote Counting with New Electoral Code Amendments
"Democratic Bulgaria" (DB) has submitted a draft proposal to the National Assembly, suggesting amendments to the Electoral Code aimed at improving the electoral process.