Latest News from Bulgaria

Bulgaria Tops EU Chart for Road Traffic Deaths!

Bulgaria has emerged as the most perilous country for driving in the European Union, with the highest death rate from road traffic accidents, according to preliminary data released by the European Commission for 2023.

Bulgaria's Road Safety Challenges:

Bulgaria's Economy Grows by 1.8% in 2023

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) has released preliminary data revealing that Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) experienced a modest growth of 1.8% in real terms in 2023. This expansion marks a slowdown compared to the 3.9% growth recorded in the previous year, according to aggregated quarterly data.

Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen Admission: No Timetable Set

Discussions regarding the full entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area continue without a clear timetable. Following a meeting between Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest on Thursday, the Austrian media reported on the ongoing deliberations.

Gender Wage Gap: Women's Salaries 12.6% Lower in Bulgaria

According to data from the Institute for Social and Trade Union Research at the National Council of National Statistics, women in Bulgaria receive wages that are on average 12.6 % lower than men, but in several economic sectors, the differences are significantly more pronounced.

With over 40% of women aged 25 to 34 holding university degrees, compared to 28% of men.

Euro or Lev? Our Readers Have Spoken

Bulgaria edges closer to potentially adopting the euro, but the debate over whether to keep the national currency, the lev, or transition to the European currency continues to stir controversy among the public. On our Facebook page, we recently posed this question to our readers: "Adopt the Euro or Keep the Lev?", and the response was resounding.

President's Pre-Government Formation Talks Set for March 11

As the 49th National Assembly gears up for the next phase of government formation, President Rumen Radev is scheduled to commence consultations with political parties on Monday. This crucial step marks the beginning of the process wherein the President will hand over the first exploratory mandate to form a government to a candidate nominated by the largest parliamentary group, GERB.

Bulgaria: Equal Male-Female Part-Time Work in Q3 2023

In Bulgaria, the latest data from the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat) reveals a notable trend: in the third quarter of 2023, both women and men registered equal shares of part-time employment, each at 1%.

Mariya Gabriel Advocates for Schengen Entry to Bolster Bulgaria's Border Security

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria, Mariya Gabriel, emphasized the urgency of Bulgaria and Romania joining the Schengen area, particularly by land, to enhance migration management capabilities. Speaking at the EPP congress in Bucharest, Gabriel underscored Bulgaria's pivotal role in safeguarding the EU's external borders.

Human Rights Watch Calls on Bulgaria: Prevent Deportation of Saudi Activist

Human Rights Watch has called on Bulgarian authorities to immediately halt plans to deport Saudi human rights activist Abdulrahman al-Khalidi back to Saudi Arabia. According to the International Human Rights Organization, Al-Khalidi faces serious risks of arbitrary detention, torture, and an unfair trial if sent back.

Bulgaria's Borissov Demands Action On Schengen Blockade At EPP Congress

At the European People's Party (EPP) congress in Bucharest, GERB leader Boyko Borissov delivered a compelling address, urging Austrian authorities to reconsider their decision to block Bulgaria and Romania's accession to the Schengen area along the land borders.

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