Sergey Stanishev

Former Bulgarian Prime Minister and Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Sergey Stanishev has announced his return to politics but clarified that he will not participate in the upcoming parliamentary or European elections. Stanishev made this declaration during a press conference at BTA, shortly after the BSP released its list for the European elections, which notably did not include him.

Nicolas Schmit, the newly-elected president of the Party of European Socialists (PES), has voiced his support for Bulgaria's full accession to the Schengen Area. Speaking at a press briefing following his election at a PES congress held in Rome, Schmit emphasized the importance of Bulgaria's integration into the Schengen Zone.

Amid the implementation of measures under the European Union's Green Deal, 64% of Bulgarians have identified the escalating electricity prices as their top concern. This revelation stems from a recent study commissioned by MEP Sergey Stanishev, conducted by "Trend" and surveying the adult population of the country from January 17th to 24th.

The "Yuri Gagarin" private school in the Bulgarian resort Kamchia, which is part of the largest children's camp outside the Russian Federation and owned by the Moscow City Hall, is closing its doors. The labor inspectorate in Varna has already received an application for the layoff of more than 30 people - teachers and employees.

The caretaker government is changing the entire management team of "Bulgargaz", bTV reports, referring to an application filed in the Commercial Register. The news was confirmed by the spokesman of the cabinet, Anton Kutev.

Politicians from Balkan EU member states failed to obtain any top posts in the new Commission after hopes rose that Sergey Stanishev of Bulgaria, for example, might become the new president of the European Parliament.

The European Parliament is in the process of electing its President. For the position, the European Council the name of PES leader Sergey Stanishev was also considered. Late last night, however, his group raised the candidacy of the Italian David-Maria Sassoli.

European Council President Donald Tusk announced that an agreement has been reached on the allocation of senior positions in the EU.

The leaders of the BSP abstained from commenting on the vote last night. Тhe deputy Georgi Svilensky made a statement, without right of journalistic questions. The opposition in the party accepted the results as they missed a chance.

"We will not comment on the results before the parallel countdown is completed. We make our own parallel counting," Slivenski said.

PES Common Candidate Frans Timmermans (L) with PES leader Sergey Stanishev. Photo: EPA/Miguel A. Lopez

Weeks ahead of the European elections, the European Socialists have "frozen" their relations with the ruling party in Romania, and in June will decide on its continued membership of the left-wing bloc in the European Parliament.