Goranov

Bulgaria is identified as the "EU's death capital" in a recent article of AFP, which examines the problems of the country's medical system.

Despite the large-scale investments in healthcare and having the most hospitals per capita in the EU, Bulgaria has retained the highest mortality rate in the EU for nearly a decade.

Bulgaria will be able to borrow up to BGN 5.3 B in fresh debt next year to finance budget deficit, repay old debt and support recovery and restructuring programmes in the banking sector, if needed, the parliament decided on Wednesday.

Sofia City Court (SGS) acquitted the former deputy speaker of the Bulgarian parliament, Hristo Biserov, of all three charges brought against him on Tuesday.

Biserov was charged with tax evasion, undeclared currency deals and undeclared bank accounts held in Switzerland, but was found innocent.

The Bulgarian prosecutor's office demanded on Monday a four-year imprisonment for the former deputy speaker of parliament Hristo Biserov.

Sofia City Court (SGS) is to deliver its judgement on Tuesday, daily Dnevnik informs.

The Bulgarian Energy Holding company has invited potential lenders to extend a loan of up to EUR 650 M, BNR radio broadcaster reported on Monday.

The Bulgarian government has decided to allocate more than BGN 3.5 M to the Interior Ministry.

This was announced by Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in Plovdiv, daily Sega reports.

The resources will be distributed between the 32 structures of the ministry across the country.

Bulgarian police protested for a fourth day in a row in central Sofia on Friday against government plans to trim social benefits for Interior Ministry staff.

Police protests were also held in other Bulgarian cities, including Varna, Shumen, Ruse and Vidin, BNT TV channel reported.

Some 20 000 police officers are taking to the streets of Bulgarian towns and cities on Wednesday over plans of the government to slash spending and reduce retirement compensations for Interior Ministry employees.

Bulgaria's Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov said on Friday funding for the update of military capabilities has been set aside in the budget draft for next year.

This includes installments on the prospective acquisition of new multirole aircraft for the Bulgarian Air Force, but also frigates for the navy.

The official poverty line in Bulgaria is set to increase to BGN 300 in 2016.

The government is expected to approve the change at its regular meeting on Wednesday, Darik radio informs.

In his last statement, Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov, said that Christmas bonuses will be allocated to pensions below BGN 300.