Новости за 05.11.2025

On Thursday, Bulgaria will face another day of unsettled weather, with widespread clouds and rainfall expected across much of the country. According to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH), precipitation will be more intense in Eastern Bulgaria and will extend into parts of Central Bulgaria during the afternoon hours. Southwestern Bulgaria will be the exception, where no rain is forecast and temporary breaks in the cloud cover may occur....

The National Assembly rejected a proposal by We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (WCC-DB) to raise the maternity leave allowance for women who return to work before their child turns two. The motion, which called for increasing the benefit from 50 percent to 100 percent, received 85 votes in favor, 21 against, and 93 abstentions. According to the proposal’s authors, the measure would have required an expenditure of 2....

Bulgarian economist Viktor Papazov, a Harvard graduate and one of the founders of the Bulgarian Stock Exchange and the Central Depository, has delivered a stark warning about Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro. Speaking to Bulgarian National Radio, Papazov described the move as a strategic decision that amounts to surrendering national sovereignty. “This is the first step toward the ultimate downfall of Bulgaria,” he said, stressing the risks of joining the eurozone at this stage....

Bulgaria’s first budget in euros has sparked strong criticism from economists and opposition politicians, who describe it as the worst financial plan in more than twenty-five years. The 2026 draft budget, presented by the Zhelyazkov government, is being compared by experts to the economic failures of Zhan Videnov’s administration in the 1990s, which led to hyperinflation and a financial collapse. Now, critics warn that Bulgaria risks entering a long-term “debt spiral” with similar destabilizing consequences. Читать дальше...

On November 4, 2025, at exactly 1:00 p.m., Bulgaria witnessed a remarkable feat of strength: two Bulgarians successfully pulled the country’s newest aircraft, the Airbus A220-300, a 40-ton plane, over a distance of 25 meters each despite challenging weather conditions....

The European Commission has decided to temporarily withhold 215 million euros from Bulgaria’s second payment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. An EC spokesperson confirmed the decision to Bulgarian media Club Z, explaining that the withheld funds are tied to Bulgaria’s failure to meet a key milestone related to the reform of the Anti-Corruption Commission. As a result, Bulgaria will receive 439 million euros instead of the initially requested 653 million, marking a reduction of nearly one-third....

A recent European health survey has shed light on the habits Bulgarians rely on to boost their mood and manage stress. Conducted across 22 countries and including 1,000 respondents in Bulgaria, the study highlighted coffee, energy drinks, cigarettes, and alcohol as the most widespread unhealthy practices in the country. According to Stefan Dinev, a representative of the pharmaceutical company behind the research, more than 86 percent of Bulgarians drink coffee to feel happier....

Dutch authorities have seized more than 3.3 tons of cocaine during a major police operation in the town of Standaardbuiten, North Brabant. The large-scale bust was carried out by the National Investigation Unit, leading to the arrest of eight individuals connected to the case. ...

The European Commission has unveiled a comprehensive plan to expand high-speed rail connections across the European Union by 2040, with one of the key routes linking Sofia and Athens. According to the proposal, the journey between the two capitals would be reduced from the current 13 hours and 40 minutes to just 6 hours, BTA’s correspondent Nikolay Zhelyazkov reported. The ambitious project aims to create a modern network of high-speed lines capable of reaching speeds of at least 200 kilometers... Читать дальше...

The United States government entered its 36th day of shutdown on Wednesday, setting a new record for the longest federal closure in the country’s history. The previous record was held by a shutdown during Donald Trump’s first presidential term. The current crisis stems from an intense standoff between Democrats and Republicans over healthcare funding....

EU leaders delivered a clear message in Sofia this week: joining the euro is not only an economic move but a strategic safeguard for Bulgaria in an increasingly unstable world, POLITICO reported. During a visit aimed at winning over a divided Bulgarian public, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis presented the single currency as both a financial anchor and a geopolitical shield. Bulgaria is scheduled to adopt the euro on January 1... Читать дальше...

GERB leader Boyko Borissov ruled out any possibility of adjustments to the parameters of the draft budget for 2026, despite criticism from within the coalition and opposition parties. Speaking to journalists in parliament, he described the financial plan as a “coalition budget,” emphasizing that GERB’s last independent budget was in 2020. Borissov rejected claims that the government was allocating funds irresponsibly, stating that the same people who recently complained about insufficient funding for young doctors... Читать дальше...

GERB leader Boyko Borissov firmly stated in parliament that the 2026 state budget will neither be amended nor withdrawn, despite growing criticism from opposition parties and economists. Borissov reminded that as early as 2020, members of “Democratic Bulgaria” such as Ivaylo Mirchev and Martin Dimitrov had argued that the budget was not right-leaning and had called for the removal of the dividend tax. He acknowledged that spending on pensions, wages, and social programs has risen significantly “without... Читать дальше...

An earthquake with a magnitude between 4.7 and 4.8 on the Richter scale was recorded on Monday morning in northeastern Greece and was also felt in parts of Bulgaria, including Sofia, Pernik, and the southern regions of the country....

In the first nine months of 2025, commercial banks in Bulgaria reported a total profit of 2.8 billion leva (approximately 1.43 billion euros), which is 107 million leva (about 55 million euros) higher than in the same period of 2024. ...

In 2026, salaries in Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense will see an automatic increase of 12%, reflecting a legal mechanism that ties pay in these sectors to the country’s average salary. According to the National Statistical Institute, the average salary for the second quarter of 2025 rose by 12% compared to the same period in 2024, from 2,296 leva (about 1,172 euros) to 2,572 leva (approximately 1,313 euros). This adjustment is expected to push personnel costs in these two... Читать дальше...

A devastating fire erupted late on November 4 at a retirement home in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, claiming the lives of ten residents and injuring around 20 others, officials said. The injured include firefighters, police, medical personnel, staff, and residents, all of whom received treatment at the University of Tuzla Clinical Center. According to preliminary reports, the blaze started on the seventh floor of the Tuzla facility at approximately 8:45 p....

Zohran Mamdani, 34, has etched his name into New York City history, becoming the city’s first Muslim mayor and the youngest individual to claim the office in a century. Running as a Democratic socialist, Mamdani triumphed over former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, winning 50.4 percent of the vote and signaling both generational and ideological change in the city’s politics. ...

Over the past two decades, the economic growth in Bulgaria has been remarkable. While GDP per capita across the European Union increased by 188% over the last 20 years, Bulgaria experienced a staggering 600% growth. This surge underscores the transformative effect of EU membership on former socialist countries and highlights the significant progress made in Southeast Europe. ...