Latest News from Bulgaria

Bulgaria's PM Appoints Deputy FM, 2 Deputy DefMins

Interim Prime Minister Ognyan Gerdzhikov has appointed career diplomat Boyko Mirchev as Deputy Foreign Minister, the government says.

Stefan Petrov and Mihail Mihaylov has been appointed as Deputy Defense Ministers.

Air Pollution Kills More Than 18 100 in Bulgaria Every Year

More than 18 100 die as a result of conditions caused by air pollution, public broadcaster BNR has said, citing statistics of The Lancet, a British medical journal.

Plovdiv, Pleven, Pazardzhik, Sofia and Pernik are the five cities most affected, according to the figures.

Bulgaria's Interim Govt Passes New Cabinet Structure

During their first cabinet meeting, the caretaker ministers of Bulgaria have agreed on a new structure of the government and have been assigned several tasks.

There will be four Deputy Prime Ministers in the interim government, the same number as in the previous cabinet, according to the list of decisions sent by the government's press office.

Sofia Ranks as Cheapest European Destination

Bulgaria's capital Sofia has ranked as the best bargain among 56 European cities in the Europe Backpacker Index for this year.

In the ranking's seventh annual edition, Sofia is described as "a fantastic bargain among European capitals."

It has "a very pleasant city center that is quite welcoming of foreign tourists."

Green Protesters Seek Bulgarian President's Support

Bulgarian environmentalist will rally on Monday evening in front of the Bulgarian Presidency building in Sofia, organized by the non-governmental coalition "Let Nature Remain in Bulgaria".

Protesters want new President Rumen Radev to veto recent amendments to a bill on concessions, which they believe will harm the public interest and the environment.

Bulgaria's National Statistics Clash with Ex-Govt Figures on Foreign Tourists

National statistics have revised downward the former government's figures suggesting more foreign tourists visited Bulgaria in 2016 than the size of its population.

Officials of the previous cabinet earlier said more than 8 million foreign arrivals would be registered between the end of January 2016 and January of this year, in a country of just 7.1 million.

Bulgaria's New Cabinet to Hold First Meeting Monday

The caretaker government of Bulgaria will hold a session on Monday, its press office says.

The development will come just a few days after the interim cabinet was sworn in.

Three items will be on the agenda. One will deal with the structure of the state administration, while another will be a draft resolution on the preparation of the early parliamentary elections on March 26.

Bulgaria's Interim Govt 'Preparing to Cut Business Fees'

The caretaker cabinet of Bulgaria ponders a move to cut administrative fees paid by businesses, daily 24 Chasa reports, citing sources.

The move will help save tens of millions in expenses and will be aimed at putting an end to alleged violations on behalf of the Registry Agency, according to the sources.

Greek Farmers Briefly Block Crossing at Bulgaria Border

Greek farmers on Saturday night sealed off the Kulata-Promachonas border crossing at the border with Bulgaria, amid heavy police presence along key roads and at junctions, Bulgaria's public radio reports.

Bulgaria Can Negotiate With Russia, EU on Turkish Stream Pipeline

Bulgaria can negotiate with Russia and the EU for the laying of one of the pipelines of Turkish Stream through its territory, said Russian expert Konstantin Simonov, head of the Fund for National and Energy Security.

Migrant Influx in Bulgaria Continues To Dwindle

A mere 31 new migrants have been detained in the period January 20 - 26, reported BGNES.

Thus, the number of foreigners who have entered Bulgaria illegally and have been detained by the authorities since the beginning of the year is 143.

46 migrants have been taken out of the country last week - the total number of migrants deported in 2017 is 114.

Protesting farmers try to reach northern border

Greek police on Friday obstructed farmers protesting hikes to tax and social security contribution payments from moving their tractors to block the Promachonas checkpoint on the country's border with Bulgaria.

President Radev Presents Priorities of Caretaker Cabinet

As of Friday, Bulgaria will be governed by a caretaker cabinet, announced President Radev during the official presentation of the composition and priorities of the cabinet appointed by him.

"This cabinet will govern in a complicated external political and international situation. The country needs security and stability," stated Radev.

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