Bulgaria
30 YEARS OF TRANSITION: CEE makes enormous progress but held back by governance issues
If half of the governance gap between Central Europe and the G7 countries was closed, income convergence would be brought forward by almost a generation, says EBRD chief economist Beata Javorcik in an interview with bne IntelliNews.
30 YEARS OF TRANSITION: The East-West convergence in numbers
30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall the new EU members haven’t yet caught up with Western Europe — but they are drawing level with the Southern European states that were battered by the international economic crisis.
30 YEARS OF TRANSITION: A profound crisis of trust in democracy
Report from the Open Society Foundations reveals a “robust spirit of dissent, and a readiness to challenge those in power” as shown by mass anti-corruption protests in the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia.
EBRD: Pace of emerging Europe economic growth slows as global outlook weakens
The pace of growth in the EBRD’s emerging economies is slowing on the back of a weaker global economic outlook, and pressure from slower growth in the Eurozone and China, US/Chinese trade tensions and a contraction in world automobile production, acc
30 YEARS OF TRANSITION: Corruption, racism and intolerance in Bulgaria
The first in bne IntelliNews’ series marking the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall looks at democratic backsliding, persistent corruption and the rise of the far right in Bulgaria.
Erdogan makes an enemy of VW’s trade unions
Labour representatives “repudiate approval” of automaker’s plan to build plant in Turkey while violence in Syria continues.
Bulgaria sets April 2020 as new target for entering ERM2
Support from EIOPA gives fresh hope that Sofia will realise its ambitions of joining the “eurozone waiting room” early next year.
Slowdown on the cards for Central Europe as economic sentiment plunges
The European Commission’s Economic Sentiment Indicators (ESIs) turned south across Central Europe in October, suggesting the economies of the region will slow down from here as a miasma descends.
Protests in Sofia as Bulgaria appoints new chief prosecutor in highly controversial procedure
Many Bulgarians fear Ivan Geshev, the sole candidate for chief prosecutor, will use his position to go after critics of the establishment.
Bulgaria’s competition watchdog bans sale of CEZ’ assets to Eurohold
Czech utility's second attempt to offload its Bulgarian assets is blocked by regulator, which warns deal would cause a "significant deterioration" of market competition.
European Commission praises Bulgarian progress on rule of law, criticises backsliding in Romania
Bulgaria close to having CVM monitoring lifted, while backtracking in Romania is a “source of concern” despite recent reset in relations.
Serbia, Croatia join race for VW plant but carmaker ‘not actively looking for alternative to Turkey’ as things stand
German auto giant, fearing reputational damage by association following Turkish invasion of Syria, is taking stock of situation.