Bulgarian finance chief gets mandate as Russia tensions soar
2 years, 6 months ago

Bulgarian finance chief gets mandate as Russia tensions soar

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria’s president on Friday handed the mandate to try and form a new government to the country’s finance minister, four days after pro-Western reformist Kiril Petkov resigned following a no-confidence vote in Parliament. Asen Vassilev, from Petkov’s We Continue the Change party, now has seven days to try to end the European Union and NATO member’s latest political crisis amid soaring tensions with Russia. The EU on Friday called Russia’s response an “unjustified threat” and said it “stands in full support and solidarity with Bulgaria.” In 2021, Bulgaria held three separate general elections, lurching from one political crisis to another. Daniel Smilov, a political science professor at the University of Sofia, said a government under Vassilev “would be the same politics, the same type of government, the same ideas” as Petkov’s.

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History of this topic

Bulgaria faces another snap vote as latest bid to form new government fails
5 months ago

Bulgaria faces another snap vote as latest bid to form new government fails

Al Jazeera  

President of the Balkan nation expected to call for new vote after three parties fail to garner enough support to govern. Bulgaria is heading for its seventh parliamentary elections in three years after the last of three political parties tapped by President Rumen Radev to form a coalition government failed due to lack of support. The small populist ITN party, …

Bulgarian ex-prime minister Borissov offers a coalition. But he doesn’t want his old job back
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Bulgarian ex-prime minister Borissov offers a coalition. But he doesn’t want his old job back

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, whose center-right GERB party garnered the most votes in Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, invited his political opponents Thursday to hold talks about forming a new government. Results from Sunday’s election showed GERB with 24.7% of the vote, edging out the ethnic Turkish Movement for Rights and Freedoms, which surprisingly came in second with …

Bulgarians cast ballots for a new parliament and in European Union elections
7 months ago

Bulgarians cast ballots for a new parliament and in European Union elections

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgarians are choosing a new parliament Sunday while also participating in European Union elections that have been overshadowed by domestic political instability and economic inequality as well as growing concern over the war in nearby Ukraine. The front-runners in the National Assembly elections were seen as the GERB center-right party led by three-time Prime Minister Boyko Borissov …

Bulgarian parliament formally approves caretaker government to run country until June 9 elections
9 months ago

Bulgarian parliament formally approves caretaker government to run country until June 9 elections

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria’s parliament on Tuesday formally approved an interim government to run the EU member country until snap parliamentary and regular European Parliament elections on June 9. Glavchev, the head of the National Audit Office and a former legislator from the center right GERB party and speaker of parliament, said the ministers he selected for his interim Cabinet …

Bulgaria's prime minister resigns as planned, part of a power-sharing agreement
10 months ago

Bulgaria's prime minister resigns as planned, part of a power-sharing agreement

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Bulgarian lawmakers on Wednesday unanimously …

Bulgaria expels Russian journalist as an alleged threat to national security
1 year, 2 months ago

Bulgaria expels Russian journalist as an alleged threat to national security

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria has expelled a Russian journalist for allegedly engaging in activities that pose a threat to the country’s national security, authorities said Wednesday. The State Agency for National Security said Alexander Gatsak, a correspondent for Russian state-run newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, was stripped of his residency rights and barred from entering Bulgaria and other European Union member nation. …

Bulgaria gets new government as former rivals enter uneasy alliance
1 year, 7 months ago

Bulgaria gets new government as former rivals enter uneasy alliance

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria’s parliament on Tuesday formally approved the country’s new government proposed by the two main political rivals in a bid to end a 30-months-long political crisis, restore stability and spur economic development in the poorest EU member country. The GERB party of ex-Premier Boyko Borissov, which won the April general election, and the runner-up, the pro-European liberal …

EU commissioner nominated to lead Bulgaria's next government
1 year, 8 months ago

EU commissioner nominated to lead Bulgaria's next government

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A European Union commissioner from Bulgaria was nominated Wednesday for …

Bulgaria: Parliament rejects proposed technocrat government
2 years ago

Bulgaria: Parliament rejects proposed technocrat government

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Bulgaria: Center-right party wins parliamentary election
2 years, 3 months ago

Bulgaria: Center-right party wins parliamentary election

Firstpost  

The European Union nation’s fourth election in 18 months was marked by a raging war nearby, political instability and economic hardships in the bloc’s poorest member. A low turnout reflected voter apathy Sofia : The center-right GERB party of ex-premier Boyko Borissov appeared to be the winner of Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, the country’s central electoral commission said on Monday, with …

Bulgaria: caretaker government until October early election
2 years, 5 months ago

Bulgaria: caretaker government until October early election

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Monday appointed a caretaker government ahead of another round of parliamentary elections in early October in a bid to stave off the country’s political and economic crisis. The move comes after the three largest political groups failed to find common ground for a viable coalition to settle the European Union and NATO …

Bulgaria to hold early election after coalition talks fail
2 years, 5 months ago

Bulgaria to hold early election after coalition talks fail

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria is heading to a new parliamentary election this fall after the three largest parties in parliament failed to find common ground for a coalition government. Earlier, the two main groups in parliament — the reformist We Continue the Change party and the center right GERB party — failed to end the European Union and NATO member’s …

Russia and Bulgaria: End of a tumultuous affair?
2 years, 6 months ago

Russia and Bulgaria: End of a tumultuous affair?

Al Jazeera  

Russia is unlikely to pull Bulgaria back into its immediate sphere of influence after the events of last few months. Russia’s ambassador to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, warned that Russia would close its embassy in Sofia if the planned expulsion goes forward, but Bulgarian authorities ignored the ultimatum. Less than a week later, on July 3, two Russian government planes transferred …

Russian diplomats depart Bulgaria amid soaring tensions
2 years, 6 months ago

Russian diplomats depart Bulgaria amid soaring tensions

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Two Russian airplanes departed Bulgaria on Sunday with scores of Russian diplomatic staff and their families amid a mass expulsion that has sent tensions soaring between the historically close nations, a Russian diplomat said. Filip Voskresenski, a high-ranking Russian diplomat, told journalists at the airport in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia before the flights left that he was among …

Bulgaria announces mass expulsion of 70 Russian diplomatic staff
2 years, 6 months ago

Bulgaria announces mass expulsion of 70 Russian diplomatic staff

Al Jazeera  

Bulgarian state services identified the diplomats ‘as people who worked against our interests’, PM Kiril Petkov says. Bulgaria will expel 70 Russian diplomatic staff, the EU country has announced, the largest number of Russians ordered out at one time from the Balkan nation. “Bulgaria is going to expel 70 Russian diplomats … Our services identified them as people who worked …

Bulgarian political crisis casts shadow over Balkans summit
2 years, 6 months ago

Bulgarian political crisis casts shadow over Balkans summit

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — Leaders from the Western Balkans expressed frustration Thursday that they are still waiting in the European Union’s wings even as candidacy bids by Ukraine and Moldova were swiftly embraced by EU leaders. Bulgaria’s parliament passed a no-confidence vote Wednesday in the coalition government of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, putting up a new obstacle to the long-delayed start of …

‘Not the way’: Bulgaria gov’t falls after losing confidence vote
2 years, 6 months ago

‘Not the way’: Bulgaria gov’t falls after losing confidence vote

Al Jazeera  

Bulgaria now faces the fourth national election since April 2021 amid disagreements on budget spending and the EU. The gridlock may also hinder Bulgaria’s efforts to secure stable natural gas inflows after Moscow cut gas deliveries to the country, which is almost completely reliant on Russian gas, over Sofia’s refusal to pay in roubles. The gridlock may also hinder Bulgaria’s …

EU expansion drive in Balkans adds to Bulgarian PM’s woes
2 years, 6 months ago

EU expansion drive in Balkans adds to Bulgarian PM’s woes

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — After just seven months in office, and now reduced to heading a minority government, Bulgaria’s liberal Prime Minister Kiril Petkov finds himself between a rock and a hard place over European Union enlargement amid the war in Ukraine. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Friday urged the cabinet to disperse any suspicion that the country might take the …

Bulgarian opposition calls for no-confidence vote
2 years, 6 months ago

Bulgarian opposition calls for no-confidence vote

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov’s centrist coalition government will face a vote of no-confidence brought by the main opposition party on Wednesday, its first since taking power at the end of last year. The GERB party of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, is accusing the government of missteps in the areas of public finance and economic policy …

Bulgaria’s ruling coalition threatened by defections
2 years, 7 months ago

Bulgaria’s ruling coalition threatened by defections

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria’s leader says he will move forward with a minority government following the withdrawal of one of the four parties from the country’s centrist coalition government. Their party leader, Slavi Trifonov, cited disagreements with the revision of the state budget proposed by the prime minister, accusing him of leading the country toward bankruptcy by raising new debt. …

Bulgaria: Centrist PP party seals coalition deal to form gov’t
3 years, 1 month ago

Bulgaria: Centrist PP party seals coalition deal to form gov’t

Al Jazeera  

Bulgaria’s parliament expected to vote on a new government after eight months of political deadlock. Bulgaria’s new centrist We Continue The Change party says it has sealed a broad coalition deal with socialist, populist and centre-right factions after eight months of political paralysis. PP, which won Bulgaria’s third parliamentary election this year on November 14, teamed up with Borissov’s political …

Bulgaria president Radev set to seal re-election: Exit polls
3 years, 1 month ago

Bulgaria president Radev set to seal re-election: Exit polls

Al Jazeera  

Election comes amid widespread discontent against high-level corruption that ended the decade-long rule of former premier Boyko Borissov in April. Radev, 58, led his challenger Anastas Gerdzhikov, also 58, by 64 to 66 percent in the presidential run-off after nearly winning outright in the first round on November 14, exit polls by Alpha Research and Gallup International showed amid a …

Bulgarian elections: The ‘beginning of the end’ for Borisov?
3 years, 6 months ago

Bulgarian elections: The ‘beginning of the end’ for Borisov?

Al Jazeera  

Former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov is unlikely to come back to power after the July 11 vote, analysts say. An early vote was called after the April 4 vote resulted in a hung parliament, with the governing GERB party of conservative former Prime Minister Boyko Borisov failing to secure enough support to form a new cabinet. The analysts Al Jazeera …

Bulgaria expels two Russian diplomats for suspected espionage
3 years, 9 months ago

Bulgaria expels two Russian diplomats for suspected espionage

Al Jazeera  

Foreign ministry says diplomats have been declared ‘persona non grata’ and given 72 hours to leave the EU and NATO member state. Authorities in Bulgaria have given two Russian diplomats 72 hours to leave the country for alleged espionage. On Monday, they said that “preliminary investigations have shown that two Russian nationals carried out intelligence activity incompatible with diplomatic relations.” …

Bulgaria's PM warns Russia to stop spying after six arrested with alleged links to Moscow
3 years, 9 months ago

Bulgaria's PM warns Russia to stop spying after six arrested with alleged links to Moscow

ABC  

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov has demanded Russia stops spying in his country. Key points: Six people were arrested in Bulgaria this week, alleged to be spying for Russia Bulgaria's relationship with Russia has been fractured over the last 18-months Bulgaria was one of the closest allies of the Soviet Union during the Communist era The call on Saturday came …

Bulgaria to expel another Russian diplomat suspected of spying
4 years ago

Bulgaria to expel another Russian diplomat suspected of spying

Al Jazeera  

The Russian diplomat is the sixth to be expelled by NATO member Bulgaria since October 2019 for suspected espionage. Bulgaria has given a Russian diplomat 72 hours to leave the country after prosecutors alleged he had been involved in espionage since 2017, the foreign ministry said on Friday. Bulgarian prosecutors said the Russian diplomat had been seeking sensitive military information, …

Bulgarian government faces no-confidence vote amid protests
4 years, 5 months ago

Bulgarian government faces no-confidence vote amid protests

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s center-right government will face a vote of no-confidence brought by the left-wing political opposition Wednesday, its fifth since taking power in 2017. The opposition Socialists, riding high on week-long anti-graft protests that brought thousands of people into the streets of towns across Bulgaria, are hoping to regain power. Party leader Kornelia Ninova …

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