Bulgaria

The draft budget for 2025 foresees an increase in funds for education from 4,1% to 4,8% of the country's gross domestic product, +0,7% compared to last year

Foreign direct investment recorded a positive net inflow of €1,24bn in the first nine months of 2024, equivalent to 1,2% of the GDP, according to data from the Bulgarian National Bank, a decrease of 63,3% compared to the same period in 2023

General Bulgarian car fleet shows an ageing trend, with over 70% of the vehicles on the road being over 15 years old, and only 4,6% of cars less than five years old

Belene Island Foundation, an NGO, wants to honour with a memorial the 15.000 people considered enemies of the communist regime who were interned in Persin, many of whom died as a result of forced labour

An additional agreement with Skoda will be signed for the purchase of five new electric trains to expand the railway fleet

In the first half of the year, Sofia recorded a 12% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year; the number of registered overnight stays also increased by 10%, with almost 60% of foreign visitors

Speeding remains the most common offence, with 302.949 violations recorded in Sofia this year, over 32.000 more than the previous year

An underwater training at 1.000m, with a water temperature of 1°C, was conducted by the Bulgarian military at the Iskar dam focusing on reconnaissance, setting up and passing water fences

In view of the introduction of the euro, the country is upgrading its services and payment systems to align with the new currency, as indicated in the National Plan

An imported case of cholera has been confirmed in Bulgaria, the first reported in 103 years

From 2029, wood and coal heating will be completely banned in Sofia and the entire municipality will be designated as a low-emission zone

Protesters in Sofia staged a new demonstration against an amendment banning 'propaganda' for LGBTQ+ issues in schools; nationalists held a counter-demonstration, demanding even stricter measures

The Bulgarian parliament adopted a law banning the 'propaganda' of 'non-traditional sexual orientations' in schools, sparking outrage and calls for protest; drafted by the pro-Russian Revival party, it also won the support of pro-Western factions