Plovdiv

The Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, indicated in an interview with RTVI television that Moscow does not exclude the possibility of moving Soviet monuments from Bulgaria to Russia.

A gathering of citizens in front of Plovdiv's Municipal Council building voiced their opposition on Wednesday to a controversial proposal suggesting the relocation of the "Alyosha" Monument to the Soviet Army.

The National Assembly made significant strides on Thursday, greenlighting key spending allocations from the 2024 State Budget Bill during the second reading:

Anticipating the surge in holiday travel, the Bulgarian Railway Company, "BDZ - Passenger Transport," is set to accommodate the festive influx by providing an additional 17,000 seats for travelers during the Christmas season.

The government has greenlit ambitious projects to attract substantial foreign investments totaling EUR 500 million across Pleven, Maritsa-Plovdiv, and Shumen, as announced by Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov. Denkov emphasized the pivotal role of these investments in elevating workers' wages and achieving European living standards.

Plovdiv's tourism sector is steadily approaching a complete rebound, showcasing a return to pre-pandemic levels, as revealed by the latest data from the National Statistics for the initial nine months of this year. Notably, the number of overnight stays has even exceeded the levels seen in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, when the city held the esteemed title of European Capital of Culture.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit as Bulgaria's cities gear up for a dazzling array of Christmas markets. From Sofia to Plovdiv to Ruse, these bustling markets promise delightful treats, heartwarming activities, and festive shopping opportunities for everyone.

In a startling incident in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, a child, estimated to be 5-6 years old, was spotted steering a public transport bus. The alarming event occurred on line number 10, with witnesses describing a risky journey through the bustling "Trakia" district. The child, sitting on the driver's lap, reportedly handled the wheel for about ten minutes before disembarking at the next stop.

With 100% processed protocols in Plovdiv, Kostadin Dimitrov from GERB won the elections ahead of Ivaylo Staribratov from WCC-DB.

As the polls opened for the election day, initial data on voter turnout in various Bulgarian cities has started to emerge. These figures provide an early glimpse into civic engagement and participation in the ongoing elections. According to exit poll data from the Gallup agency, reported by NOVA, here are the voter turnout percentages in several key cities as of 09:00: