Bulgaria
bneGREEN: EU bans petrol and diesel cars from 2035 as Green Deal law moves forward
The EU Council of Ministers has agreed to an effective ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2035, overcoming last minute opposition from a group of five countries.
Russia threatens to sever diplomatic relations with Bulgaria over diplomat expulsions
Russian ambassador in Sofia says that Moscow may cut diplomatic ties with Nato member Bulgaria after Sofia rejected ultimatum to cancel expulsion of 70 diplomats.
Macron says compromise found for Sofia-Skopje dispute
North Macedonia urged to accept French proposal that would unlock its EU accession progress and that of neighbouring Albania.
CEE Economic Sentiment Indicators fall on polycrisis woes
The European Commission’s Economic Sentiment Indicators (ESI) for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) fell in May as the polycrisis hitting the world took its toll on economies across the entire region.
Nato agrees 'fundamental shift' to counter Russia
Security alliance’s leaders agree a big increase in troop deployments on its Eastern Flank, more help for Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression, and a new Strategic Concept.
Bulgaria a step closer to early election as Socialists pull out of coalition talks
Pro-Moscow BSP says it won't continue talks on a new coalition with outgoing PM Kiril Petkov's Change Continues after mass expulsion of Russian diplomats.
bneGREEN: Five countries seek delay for EU petrol and diesel ban
Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania are seeking to push back by five years EU proposals to slap a ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars from 2035.
Bulgaria expels 70 Russian diplomats
Mass expulsion is unprecedented for Bulgaria, which until recently was seen as one of Russia’s most loyal allies in the EU.
Credit Suisse fined over laundering of Bulgarian cocaine traffickers’ money
Credit Suisse becomes first big bank group in Switzerland to be convicted in such a case after failing to prevent laundering of over CHF19mn.
Petkov rejects ITN proposal for talks on new government
ITN says it would form new coalition government so long as Petkov steps down as premier.
Bulgaria’s parliament approves French compromise to lift veto on opening of North Macedonia’s EU talks
North Macedonia has already rejected the French EU Presidency's compromise plan because it foregrounds Bulgaria's complaints about its neighbour.
bneGREEN: Reducing investment in fossil fuels can fund Europe’s energy transition
Europe’s electricity system could become greener, more secure and more resilient while not requiring any funding if the right investments are made to replace increasingly expensive fossil fuels.
bneGREEN: Coal investment remains major threat to green dream
An 8% rise in global energy investment in 2022 to $2.4 trillion, driven by a 12% rise in clean energy spending, is still far from enough to tackle the energy crisis and to put the world on the path to a greener and more secure energy future.
Bulgaria’s reformist government loses no-confidence vote
Vote ends efforts by Kiril Petkov's government to tackle graft in the EU's most corrupt country and plunges Bulgaria back into political instability.
Romanian crowdfunding platform SeedBlink helps Bulgarian startup Agriniser raise funds
First goal for Agriniser will be to expand its digital marketplace to buy and sell grain into Romania.
Bulgaria posts highest inflation in SEE amongst EU peers
Bulgaria posted the highest level of inflation in Southeastern Europe amongst EU members after annual inflation hit 13.4% in May, as the whole world fights to avoid stagflation
North Macedonia’s opposition VMRO-DPMNE seeks snap elections with major protest
Thousands join opposition protest in Skopje, where anti-government sentiment is fuelled by soaring living costs and failure to progress towards EU accession.
New majority brings down Bulgaria’s parliament speaker
Opposition parties including those from the far-right and populist right are preparing to bring down PM Kiril Petkov's reformist government.
Bulgaria’s inflation hits new record of 15.6% y/y in May
Inflation has been rising for 15 consecutive months but started speeding up recently due to surging energy prices.
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Bulgaria appeals for German help to clean up suspected heroin route border checkpoint
Ruling party MP claims heroin is trafficked through the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint on the Bulgaria-Turkey border, where video cameras in the phytosanitary lab were switched off for 10 years.
