Bulgaria
North Macedonia risks losing investment edge as EU path stalls and competition intensifies
Deeper integration with the EU Single Market is essential if North Macedonia is to move beyond its traditional role as a low-cost manufacturing hub.
Bulgaria will no longer supply weapons to Ukraine
Bulgaria's new PM Rumen Radev has repeatedly questioned Western weapons deliveries to Ukraine and warned against long-term security commitments to Kyiv.
EBRD2026: EBRD, EU expand InvestEU support with €478mn in new guarantees
Additional guarantees to enable EBRD to finance higher-risk projects that may otherwise struggle to secure commercial funding.
Middle East conflict and energy shock slow growth across EBRD regions
Bank warns higher energy costs are reigniting inflation, weakening industrial competitiveness and straining already fragile public finances
Bulgaria the latest addition to the EU’s Excessive Deficit Club
Bulgaria has barely had time to celebrate joining the eurozone monetary union at the start of this year before the European Commission is set to turn around and throw it into the rapidly growing financial delinquents club.
Bulgaria pledges EU-backed reforms, aims to unlock frozen funds
PM says after years of political instability, Bulgaria's new government is pursuing a “stable, reform-oriented” agenda focused on fiscal discipline, growth, anti-corruption efforts.
Bulgaria PM signals rethink on Ukraine aid during Paris visit
Rumen Radev signalled Sofia may limit future military and financial support for Ukraine, citing security risks and domestic budget pressures.
Bulgaria could gain up to €70mn from hosting Eurovision 2027
Bulgaria could generate between €45mn and €70mn in net economic benefits from hosting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2027, driven largely by tourism and hospitality spending.
Eastern EU faces mounting demographic strain as populations shrink and age, Eurostat says
While the EU’s total population rose slightly, many eastern member states continued to lose population over the longer term through emigration, low fertility and high mortality rates.
Bulgaria’s TBS eyes €42mn acquisitions across UK, Sweden, Romania
Telelink Business Services' supervisory board has approved plans to acquire majority stakes in five ICT companies in the UK, Sweden and Romania, with total consideration of up to €42.3mn.
Bulgaria's Radev eyes bigger EU defence industry role on Berlin visit
Sofia aims to strengthen ties with Germany – its largest trading partner – and to play a more active role within the European Union and Nato.
Rumen Radev sworn in as Bulgarian PM after April election win
Radev pledges to tackle rising prices, reform the judiciary and stabilise public finances after decisive election victory.
Radev ally rules out shift in Bulgaria’s foreign policy after election win
Senior lawmaker promises there will be no “radical, extreme shift” in Sofia’s foreign policy.
Iran-linked shock’s impact on Emerging Europe seen milder than 2022 crisis, says wiiw economist
Severity of current shock in Emerging Europe linked to Iran war unlikely to match the 2022 crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Croatia pushes stronger financing role for Three Seas Initiative at Dubrovnik summit
With global uncertainty driving demand for resilient supply chains and energy diversification, leaders said the initiative could play a larger role in Europe's economy provided it can secure investment.
Why global population collapse will keep the wars coming
Demographers warned for decades that ageing, declining states grow more dangerous, not less. The wars now spreading from Eastern Europe to the Gulf to East Asia look increasingly like the opening engagements of a long contest over who outlasts whom.
Emerging Europe weathers Iran war shock, but risks mount, wiiw says
Higher energy prices, weaker trade and geopolitical uncertainty weigh on the region’s outlook, according to new forecasts from the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies.
Bulgaria, Romania lag EU peers on digital skills, Eurostat data shows
Around 40% of all EU citizens lacked at least basic digital skills in 2025, despite 93% using the internet at least once a week.
Radev’s victory in Bulgaria offers no relief for North Macedonia’s EU progress
Granted candidate status in 2005, North Macedonia was once considered a frontrunner among Western Balkan aspirants. However, a series of bilateral disputes has repeatedly derailed its progress.
Bulgaria’s fiscal council sees zero growth, 5% inflation in worst-case outlook
Bulgaria’s Fiscal Council said economic growth could stall and inflation hit 5% in 2026 under a worst-case scenario, according to new official data.