Новости за 28.01.2026

On Thursday, January 29, Bulgaria will come under the influence of a Mediterranean cyclone, according to the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology. Cloud cover will dominate across the country, with fog expected in parts of the plains during the morning hours. After a brief lull or temporary pause in precipitation, rainfall will intensify again before noon, spreading from the south and reaching nearly the entire country by the evening....

BNB Deputy Governor Andrey Gyurov has said he is prepared to assume the role of caretaker prime minister, but only under clearly defined principles and without any undisclosed conditions. Speaking after a meeting with President Iliana Yotova, Gyurov stressed that such a government must be firmly oriented toward Bulgaria’s European path and focused solely on organising fair elections. According to Gyurov, genuinely fair elections are only possible if a caretaker cabinet remains politically neutral... Читать дальше...

Bulgaria has launched a new wave of debt amid ongoing economic uncertainty, issuing five-year government bonds worth 150 million euros. The securities, denominated in euros and set to mature on January 28, 2031, carry an annual interest coupon of 2.75%. ...

Sofia Municipality has brought the city’s recent garbage crisis under control. Waste collection in the hardest-hit districts - Lyulin, Poduyane, and Slatina - has returned to a regular schedule, with most containers being emptied daily and reports of overflows sharply reduced. Eng....

President Iliana Yotova’s consultations on the appointment of an acting prime minister continued with a meeting with Bulgarian National Bank Deputy Governor Radoslav Milenkov, who categorically declined to take on the role. After the talks, Milenkov confirmed to journalists that his position has not changed. He stressed that he has repeatedly given the same answer, including during consultations with the previous president, and that his refusal is based on long-standing professional obligations....

Bulgaria’s National Assembly has officially closed the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), ending its short-lived existence and leaving questions about the future of anti-corruption efforts in the country. The decision was passed on Wednesday by the still-acting ruling majority, composed of GERB, DPS-New Beginning, BSP, and TISP, without any debate from the ruling parties in the plenary hall. The most vocal during the discussions were members of “We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria” (WCC-DB)... Читать дальше...

Today marks the 28th anniversary of the Sofia Metro, which first opened on January 28, 1998, covering a 6.4 km section with five stations. Over nearly three decades, the network has grown steadily and now stretches 52 km with 47 stations, serving approximately 470,000 passengers daily....

BNB Deputy Governor Petar Chobanov has declined the offer to serve as Bulgaria’s acting prime minister, explaining that he sees no current risk of a constitutional crisis that would require his intervention. Chobanov met with President Iliana Yotova as part of her ongoing consultations with officials designated under the Basic Law to hold the caretaker position. He noted that, unlike in previous procedures, the pool of potential candidates is now broader, with several individuals already indicating their willingness to serve if needed. Читать дальше...

Bulgarian National Bank Governor Dimitar Radev has formally declined the possibility of serving as acting prime minister, citing both legal and ethical concerns. Following a meeting with President Iliana Yotova, Radev emphasized that taking on the caretaker role would violate Bulgarian and European legislation, as well as the established norms of central banking. He warned that assuming the position could trigger immediate resignation and potentially destabilize the BNB, currently one of the country’s most stable institutions... Читать дальше...

In the Bulgarian National Assembly, parliamentary groups marked the international day of remembrance for Holocaust victims, prompting sharp debates and historical comparisons. Natalia Kiselova of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) highlighted the role of the Red Army in liberating Auschwitz prisoners during World War II, while Yordanka Fandakova from GERB called for remembering the victims of fascism in a comprehensive, non-selective way. Tensions rose during the discussion as members of WCC-DB... Читать дальше...

Outrage has erupted in Italy over reports that a unit of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be involved in security operations for the upcoming Winter Olympics, set to take place from February 6 to 22....

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reportedly raised alarm among EU leaders regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s mental state following a private meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on January 17....

Rumen Radev’s first public appearance after formally stepping onto the political field took place at the Sofia Economic Forum, where his remarks outlined positions that are likely to shape his forthcoming election campaign. Although parties, particularly those linked to the WCC-DB coalition, remain cautious and have avoided taking a clear stance on his future political project, Radev’s views have been largely consistent throughout his nearly decade-long political career and were again clearly articulated in his latest statements. Читать дальше...

For the first time since the middle of 2021, the euro climbed above the $ 1.20 mark, supported by a noticeable shift away from the US dollar by global investors. The common European currency has been strengthening steadily since the start of the year, reflecting changing market sentiment. ...

A flu epidemic has officially been declared in the Plovdiv region as of today, with the impact already sharply felt in schools. Due to the rapid spread of infections, students are switching to online learning, a measure that will remain in force until February 6. Health authorities report that the highest number of infections is concentrated among young children aged 0 to 4 and school-aged children between 5 and 15 years....

For a second day in a row, freight traffic at Bulgaria’s borders with North Macedonia and Serbia remains effectively paralyzed, with dozens of heavy trucks held up at key crossings. The blockade, which began on January 26, is driven by protests from transport companies unhappy with the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which has recently come into force and, according to carriers, is causing serious delays and financial losses. Despite the situation for heavy goods vehicles, passenger traffic with North... Читать дальше...

Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry has reacted sharply to fresh statements from Skopje, voicing what it described as deep frustration over North Macedonia’s continued lack of openness and what Sofia sees as a deliberately unconstructive public narrative. According to the Bulgarian side, vague claims about behind-the-scenes EU initiatives only deepen mistrust rather than ease tensions. In an official statement, the Ministry said it was once again hearing talk from Skopje about an alleged initiative by “larger... Читать дальше...

The collection of leva banknotes and coins is advancing steadily, with 67% of the currency already deposited at the Bulgarian National Bank, leaving approximately 10 billion leva (around €5.1 billion) still in circulation. Vladimir Ivanov, Chairman of the Euro Coordination Council and head of the Commission for Commodity Exchanges and Markets, provided the update during a briefing marking the final week of parallel leva-euro circulation and the first month since Bulgaria adopted the euro....

Bulgaria is facing a sharp rise in construction material costs, which experts warn will drive property prices higher. Svetoslav Zhekov, chairman of the Chamber of Builders in Varna, told Radio Varna that prices for bricks and concrete have surged, with concrete seeing the most dramatic increase, ranging from 15 to 25 percent. He noted that this rise will directly impact the cost of new construction projects. ...