Bulgaria
bneGREEN: EU MEPs back binding methane targets
In a resolution on the EU’s strategy for cutting methane emissions, MEPs voted 563 to 122 in favour of introducing binding measures and targets on methane abatement, in order to significantly reduce emissions by 2030, in line with Paris goals.
BALKAN BLOG: New COVID certificate rules cause rush on vaccinations in Bulgaria
The number of daily vaccinations nearly tripled to 30,000 after caretaker Health Minister Stoycho Katsarov said only people with green COVID-19 certificates can go to pubs, night clubs, restaurants and shopping malls.
Balkan Stream countries hope to avoid worst of international gas crisis
While the debate rages over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a separate pipeline system carrying Russian gas to Southeast Europe has been quietly opened over the last few years, which enables the countries on its route to avoid the worst of the gas crisis
wiiw hikes 2021 CEE growth forecast to 5.4%
Growth is predicted to fall to 3.7% in 2022 and 3.5% in 2023 because of base effects, monetary tightening and more significant external headwinds.
Bulgaria’s inflation reaches nine-year peak in September
Inflation rises to 4.8% y/y in August, after the CPI rose by 3.7% year-on-year in July.
bneGREEN: Green policies set to reduce EU gas demand to baseload core
While the current gas crisis in the EU sees record-high wholesale gas prices, hurting consumers and causing the latest round of a supply disputes with Russia, the race to net zero by 2050 could have deeper long-term consequences for EU gas demand.
CEE needs to speed up transition to new growth model, argues GLOBSEC report
Annual CEE Strategic Transformation Index puts Slovenia top in CEE (after Austria), followed by Czechia and Poland.
CEE/SEE countries unite in defence of nuclear power
EU’s pro-nuclear member states want nuclear energy to be included in the bloc's green taxonomy as a way to ameliorate climate change.
bneGREEN: Bulgaria to propose three dates for closure of coal-fired power plants
Sofia is under pressure to draw up a timeline to shut down its coal plants before the European Commission approves its recovery plan.
Von der Leyen says EU has to deliver on enlargement
EU leaders reaffirmed their support for enlargement at summit in Slovenia, but they did not set any firm timeline.
Botched Vera Su rescue operation showers toxic cargo into sea off Bulgaria
Attempt to move nitrogen fertiliser cargo off stranded ship called off after significant contamination to the sea and nearby land.
A pandemic boost but challenges to overcome for Bulgaria’s online retailers
Online vendors of goods got a pandemic boost in Bulgaria, but when the lockdowns were lifted, many people simply went back to the shops.
Stranded ship loaded with fertilisers threatens Bulgarian coast
Environmental groups fear the Vera Su may already be leaking cargo of nitrogen fertilisers and diesel fuel into Yailata protected area as officials fail to act.
Smart Organic plans Sofia IPO to fund purchase of German competitor
Bulgarian producer and distributor of organic food comes back for second attempt at IPO as it aims to buy German firm and build new factory.
Romania and Latvia's car ownership rates among lowest in Europe
The lowest motorisation rates were found in Romania (357 cars per thousand people), Latvia (381 cars) and Hungary (390 cars).
bneGREEN: Greenwashing: regulators flex muscles as the market remains in flux
Defining a green investment is crucial to boosting the expansion of renewable energy and preventing the mis-selling of investments by so-called greenwashing, whereby the environmental impact of a product is misrepresented.
French Sendinblue acquires Bulgaria's Metrilo
As more companies move online in response to the pandemic, Sendinblue bought up companies in Bulgaria, India and the US to expand its offering.
Backlash against efforts to force citizens to get vaccinated in Southeast Europe
As low vaccination rates facilitated a new wave of the pandemic, governments are barring entry to malls, night clubs and other venues to those without a coronavirus certificate.
BUCHAREST BLOG: Romania’s anti-corruption struggle still inspiring its neighbours
With relatively few true success stories in the fight against corruption in emerging Europe, the efforts of the Romanian DNA to bring corrupt officials to book remain one of the few shining lights of the anti-corruption struggle in the region.
World Bank drops Doing Business report after alleged pressure from Bulgaria-born IMF chief to favour China
Investigation says Kristalina Georgieva, then a high-ranking World Bank official, and former former Bulgarian finance minister Simeon Dyankov pressured officials to improve China’s position. Georgieva denies the accusations.
