Latest News from Bulgaria

Bulgaria's Debt Grows by EUR 2.1238 in 2016

Bulgaria's debt increased by EUR 2.1238 B to EUR 13.7619 B in 2016, reported the Finance Ministry.

Compared to November 2016, state debt increased by EUR 557.8 M. Internal debt in December 2016 amounted to EUR 3,4895 B; external debt was EUR 10.2724 B.

In 2016, internal debt shrank by EUR 189.9 M, while external debt increased by EUR 2.3137 B.

Bulgarian Election System Referendum 'Binding on Parliament' - Prosecution

The Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office has described the results of a recent referendum on the country's election system as "binding".

The development comes after an intitial ruling by election authorities that the referendum results fall short of the turnout that would make the result mandatory.

NATO 'Extremely Important' to Bulgaria

NATO is of extreme importance to Bulgaria and Sofia backs all defense and deterrence effort of the alliance, President Rumen Radev has said.

Radev has made the remark during a visit to the NATO headquarter in Brussels, on the second day of his first foreign trip as head of state.

Fire Breaks Out at Harmanli Migrant Center

A fire broke out on Tuesday morning at the Harmanli reception and accommodation center in Southern Bulgaria, authorities say.

A short circuit or an overload of the electricity grid are among the likely resons, according to the Bulgarian National Radio.

As many as 500 migrants were evacuated, wuth authorities moving them to other spaces.

Number of Doctors Leaving Bulgaria 'On Decline' - Ex-Min

The number of doctors leaving Bulgaria in search of better perspectives abroad has falled over the past two years, former Deputy Health Minister Vanyo Sharkov has said.

Patiens who earlier would travel to Turkey for treatment now choose hospitals in the country, the deputy minister, who left office earlier in January, has told the Bulgarian National Television.

Bulgaria Court to Rule on Election System Referendum, Machine Voting

A court will sit on Friday to determine whether the referendum held in November on the voting system is binding and whether machine voting should be mandatory for all polling stations.

Voters overwhelmingly backed in November the introduction of a majority electoral system, a drastic cut in party subsidies, and mandatory voting in both elections and referenda.

Bulgaria's New Republic Movement to Be Officially Launched Tuesday

A "non-partisan", right-wing alliance called New Republic (originally "Nova Republika") is to be formally launched on Tuesday, seeking to offer an alternative to GERB party of Boyko Borisov in the coming election.

Radan Kanev, the leader of DSB party which broke away from the Reformist Bloc, is the driving force behind the project.

Bulgarian Vignette Stickers for 2016 Expire on Tuesday

January 31, Tuesday, is the last day to use vignette stickers for Bulgaria's republican road network purchased last year.

Those willing to use the roads have to purchase a vignette for 2017. For cars, the sticker has a yearl price of BGN 97, a monthly one of BGN 30 and a weekly one of 15.

Bulgaria Ready for Schengen, EU's Tajani Tells President Radev

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and European Parliament President Antonio Tajani met on Monday evening as part of Radev's visit to Brussels that continues Tuesday.

Radev's press office quotes Tajani as saying Bulgaria meets all requirements to join the Schengen area without border control, but the decision has to be taken with consensus from all members.

Greeks pay the heaviest property tax after the French and the Brits

High property taxation is hampering the recovery not only of the real estate market but also that of the economy in general. After successive property tax hikes in recent years Greece has one of the European Union's highest property tax burdens as a ratio to gross domestic product.

Juncker: We Need A Lady As Bulgaria's EU Commissioner

Bulgaria can wait with the nomination of a new Bulgarian European Commissioner until after the election of a new government, said Rumen Radev after his meeting with EC President Jean-Claude Juncker.

President Radev Receives Promise of Greater Aid for Border Security

President Rumen Radev, who is on his first working visit to Brussels, has held talks with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk.

After the meeting, Radev announced that Tusk promised greater aid for the security of Bulgaria's borders.

The unity of the EU, security and the migrant crisis were among the topics discussed between Radev and Tusk.

President Radev: Bulgaria's Choice of EU, NATO Is Strategic

"Bulgaria's choice of the EU and NATO is strategic and should not be called into question.As for the sanctions [against Russia], I do not see what is the practical use of them, as the losses are obvious.

Bulgaria's Early Election: Poll Gives Socialists Edge on GERB

For the first time, an opinion poll has projected a slight edge for the Bulgarian Socialist Party on center-right GERB, the party of former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, in the event of a hypothetical election.

Court OKs Registration of Yes, Bulgaria Party

The Sofia City Court on Monday has approved the application of former Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov's organization, Yes, Bulgaria, which seeks registration as a political party.

Yes, Bulgaria, founded upon an anti-corruption platform earlier in January, asserts it has collected some 3000 signatures, a number meeting the threshold required.

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