Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s PM demands resignations of 3 key ministers as protests swell
Boyko Borissov seeks to calm tensions — and save his government — by jettisoning ministers for finance, economy and the interior.
Protesters try to storm Bulgarian parliament
Suspected provocateurs try to break into parliament building but pushed back by police. Crowd swells to at least 20,000 in Sofia, and thousands more in 17 other towns.
Protests in Bulgaria expand to more cities, get support from US embassy
"No one is above the law," said US embassy statement, as tens of thousands rallied in Bulgaria's biggest cities on July 13, demanding the immediate resignation of the government.
Anti-government protests spread across Bulgaria
Thousands of Bulgarians flooded onto the streets of major cities on July 12. After years of political apathy, the current wave of demonstrations is looking increasingly similar to the 2013 mass protests that forced the then government to resign.
Bulgaria and Croatia accepted into ERM2
The two Southeast European countries must spend at least two years in the Exchange Rate Mechanism to become members of the eurozone in what will be its first enlargement since 2015.
Protests in Bulgaria escalate with police violence, clashes among rival groups
Tens of thousands gather to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and chief prosecutor Ivan Gechev, accusing them of corruption and dependence on criminal groups.
Bulgarian President Radev backs anti-government protesters
Radev takes on Bulgarian government and chief prosecutor after raid on presidential offices. Protesters demand resignation of politicians they say are completely dependent on corrupt businessmen.
Bulgarian president’s advisors arrested after raid on presidency
There is speculation that the probe is intended to silence President Rumen Radev, the loudest critic of the government and the prosecution.
Economic sentiment in CEE picks up in June, but still deeply depressed
The economic sentiment indicators started to pick up again in June across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), but there are big differences between the countries as they start to recover from the coronacrisis at their own speeds
Bulgarian business climate indicator keeps rising in June
Sharp decline during lockdown months of March and April, followed by recovery in May and June.
BALKAN BLOG: Gangster-style photos from Bulgarian PM’s bedroom ratchet up dirty war with anonymous enemy
Borissov’s latest term in office has been plagued by constant scandals, but photos of the PM sleeping next to a Glock 9mm handgun and a drawer full of €500 bills and gold bars indicate he has a bitter enemy close to home.
Illicit cigarette consumption declines in eastern EU states
KPMG report says fewer contraband cigarettes flowing into the EU, but growth in illegal factories within the bloc.
Emerging Europe banks face surge in distressed loans when COVID support measures expire
Vienna Initiative report warns banks heading for a "cliff-edge effect of new distressed borrowers", followed by successive waves of new NPLs.