Bulgaria

In 2022, pensions were increased on two occasions: on 1 July and 1 October; as a result, the average monthly pension per pensioner increased by 17,5% compared to 2021, reports the National Institute for Social Security

The Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union elected Dimitar Marinov as its new President during its 7th Ordinary Congress

A draft EU regulation on essential oils has revived fears of yet another 'European conspiracy' against a sensitive Bulgarian product: rose oil, with the country believing that 'the Commission wants to ban the Bulgarian rose'

Having given up on its initial goal of joining the eurozone on 1 January 2024 because parliament failed to pass the necessary laws before being dissolved, Bulgaria is hoping for a maximum delay of six months

The Sofia Dessert Fest comes to a close today at the Sofia Mega Mall, where sweet lovers enjoyed cakes, pastries, cupcakes as well as handmade themed products for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday

After negotiations to form a new government failed, President Radev called early elections for 2 April, 5th in less than two years; inability to resolve the political crisis could jeopardise the country's entry into the eurozone, scheduled for 2024

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev denounced as a hate crime the attack on the secretary of the Bulgarian cultural club 'Tsar Boris III' in Ohrid, North Macedonia

Bulgaria's two largest trade unions, KNSB and Podkrepa, protested in front of Parliament in defence of the country's energy security, unhappy with the commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by the end of 2025 compared to 2019 levels

Parliament is expected to vote today on the proposed pro-EU cabinet of ex-PM Petkov’s “We Continue the Change” party upon mandate from President Radev, who in case of loss would then eventually hand the mandate to the pro-Russia socialists

Outside the capital, the largest number of companies that applied for the first procedure under the Recovery and Resilience Plan came from the regions of Plovdiv, Varna and Ruse, said the Ministry of Innovation and Growth

The interim government is continuing to work towards Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone; the country meets the debt and deficit requirements well, although they are currently waived

The country is moving towards compliance with EU requirements for the automatic exchange of information on online platform traders as it adopted revisions to the Tax Procedure and Social Security Code