Bulgaria
BALKAN BLOG: Southeast Europe heatwave a sign of climate change to come
Southeast Europe is suffering under a heatwave that has sent temperatures soaring to 40°C or higher.
Heatwave pushes up spot electricity prices in Southeast Europe
Prices elevated by a combination of demand for electricity for cooling and an outage at one of the reactors of Romania’s nuclear power plant.
Falling out among reformist parties puts Bulgaria’s new government in doubt
ITN deputy leader talks of ‘dirty game played by dirty people’ as potential coalition partners demand written guarantees before backing an ITN-led government.
Bulgarian parties edge closer to deal on new government
A government backed by the three political newcomers in parliament and the Bulgarian Socialist Party is now looking likely.
bneGREEN: EU takes carbon pricing initiative with CBAM
The EU on 14 July unveiled the details of its proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which aims to protect EU CO2 emitters from carbon leakage by making exporters to the EU market pay for the CO2 they produce.
Bulgaria’s central bank revises up 2021 economic growth forecast to 4.1%
National Recovery and Sustainability Plan projects, together with higher exports and domestic consumption to drive recovery in Bulgaria.
Looming new coronavirus wave prompts vaccination push in Southeast Europe
With the delta variant starting to spread in Southeast Europe, officials are warning of a new wave of the pandemic that may put pressure on hospitals as early as August or September.
Bulgaria's Maxcom, Austria's Pierer to build €30.7mn e-bike plant in Plovdiv
Caretaker Economy Minister Kiril Petkov says Bulgaria has the chance to become 'number one in the whole of Europe' in e-bike sector.
bneGREEN: Global investors turn to green energy and away from fossil fuels
The world’s largest global debt and equity investors are continuing to invest in renewable energy despite the pandemic, driven by the wealth of investment opportunities, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis said.
BRICKS & MORTAR: Residential real estate markets bounce back in Southeast Europe
Strong recovery after spring 2020 lockdowns partly driven by demand for houses and rural properties, but prices remain among the lowest in Europe.
European Commission slams Bulgaria on rule of law, Slovenia on media freedom
Highly critical European Commission report issued as Sofia tries to sack chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev, who has thwarted efforts by the caretaker government to investigate top-level corruption. Shortcomings reported in other SEE EU members.
Bulgaria’s Dronamics to supply delivery drones to DHL in deal worth up to €1.86bn a year
Dronamics' Black Swan unmanned aircraft can carry 350 kg of cargo for 2,500km at up to 80% lower cost than any aircraft.
CEE dealmaking back at pre-COVID levels in H1, says Mergermarket
The first half was particularly strong in the mid-market and smaller-ticket segment.
Bulgaria’s ITN leader gives up controversial nomination for PM, to propose new government
Slavi Trifonov, the leader of Bulgaria’s There Are Such People (ITN) party, said on July 15 he is giving up nominating Nikolai Vassilev for prime minister due to strong objections and accusations he is related to the parties of the establishment
Bulgaria’s consumer prices speed up growth further in June
Bulgaria’s consumer prices increased 2.7% y/y in June, after rising by 2.5% year on year in May. The consumer price index (CPI) moved up 1.5% compared to December but dropped by 0.2% month on month
bneGREEN: EU carbon pricing set for radical reforms
The European Commission is to publish legislation on July 14 that will detail the EU’s plans, dubbed “Fit for 55,” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030 as part of wider reforms to European energy and climate laws.
Bulgaria’s ITN nominates Nikolai Vassilev for PM
TV host Slavi Trifonov says his ITN party wants a government of experts as it takes narrow lead in snap general election.
Exit polls show Trifonov’s ITN party leads Gerb by less than 1% in Bulgaria’s snap vote
Second election of 2021 appears to have produced another fragmented parliament.
BALKAN BLOG: Diaspora voters set to choose change in Bulgaria and Moldova
Bulgaria and Moldova will hold general elections on Sunday that follow public debates over the number of polling stations for diaspora voters – an issue that has repeatedly surfaced in elections in the region.
Anti-establishment parties primed for new assault on Bulgarian status quo
Three opposition parties hope to get enough support in order to form a stable ruling majority and oust from power the Gerb party, which has been in office for most of the past 12 years.
