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Top Story
Bulgaria Moves Step Closer to Full Smoking Ban
The country with one of the highest proportions of smokers in the EU prepares for change.
Politics and Society
Macedonia Gay Rights Record 'Worst in Balkans'
Macedonia least respects the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community, of all the countries in the Balkans, an international watchdog says.
Anonymous Hackers Send ACTA Warning to Bulgaria
The global hackers group Anonymous has sent a warning to the Bulgarian authorities for signing ACTA, the international intellectual property agreement.
Fresh Snowfall Prolongs Balkan Winter Weather Misery
Heavy snowfall continued over the weekend in the Balkans, claiming more victims, blocking traffic and exacerbating problems in areas already cut off by the extremely cold weather.
Cold Snap Torments Balkans
The worst wintry conditions in decades continue to torment the Balkans, causing deaths, cutting power and blocking roads.
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EU: Bulgaria Has Made Some Progress on Justice, More Needed
Bulgaria has taken some measures to improve its justice system and the prosecution of organised crime but more convincing results are needed, according to an interim monitoring report by the European Commission.
Business
FT Credits Balkan Cities as Cost Effective
Cities in the Balkans may score badly in some fields, but they score highly when it comes to labour costs.
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Lukoil Announces Massive Bulgaria Investment
Bulgaria's Lukoil Neftochim Refinery, a subsidiary of the Russian energy giant, has kicked off a massive investment in a hydrocracking catalyst installation that will process petroleum waste.
Bulgarian Coal Miners Call Off Strike
Coal miners in Bulgaria's Maritsa Iztok mines have called off their week-long strike, easing concerns that the strike would significantly disrupt power supplies.
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Bulgaria: Striking Miners Hold Talks With Owners
Тalks between striking miners at Bulgaria's biggest state-owned coal mine and the firm's management resumed on Friday, as the strike entered its sixth day.
Bulgaria MPs Approve Temporary Ban on Shale Gas
Bulgarian MPs have approved a temporary ban on the exploration and extraction of shale gas following protest rallies throughout the country.
Culture and Lifestyle
Press Freedom Violations on the Rise, Watchdog Says
A media watchdog recorded more than 500 press freedom violations over the past year in southeast and central Europe, an increase over 2010 figures.
Macedonian Wartime Love Story Angers Bulgarians
A movie set against the background of the deportation and destruction of the Jewish community in Macedonia is causing controversy in neighbouring Bulgaria even before it’s been released.
Macedonians, Montenegrins, Albanians Glued to Facebook
Internet users in Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania simply love Facebook, with almost 90 per cent of them having Facebook accounts, according to a global statistical database maintained by the International Web Stats web page.
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Filming Underway in Bulgaria for “The Expendables 2”
Jean-Claude Van Damme, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis, are among the star-studded cast which will appear in the sequel to The Expendables, currently being filmed in Bulgaria.
'Dinosaur' Pays Visit to Bulgaria's Varna
A 45-meter-long artificial dinosaur has arrived in Bulgaria's Black Sea capital Varna.
Premium
Drive For Balkan Extradition Deal Nears End
Serbia’s initiative to establish a pan-Balkan extradition treaty may see lift-off next year - but Kosovo’s exclusion from the scheme looks like another politically driven error.
Macedonian Wartime Love Story Angers Bulgarians
Net Closing In On Fugitive Balkan Criminals
Bulgarian Asylum System Pushes Migrants West
Presidential Win Poses Test For Bulgaria’s Reforming Zeal
Plevneliev Builds his Way to Bulgaria’s Presidency
Bulgaria’s Borisov Faces Mounting Pressure
EU Commissioner: Roma Exclusion ‘Getting Worse’
Press Review
Bulgaria Press Review – January 20, 2011
Government to survive confidence vote. Leaked tapes “manipulated”. Higher penalties for speeding.
Country Profile
Figure in Focus
Profile: Georgi Parvanov
The 53-year old historian and former leader of the Bulgarian Socialist party, BSP, has been president of the country since 2001 and is currently enjoying his second term in office.
Key Political Parties
Key Political Parties in Bulgaria
After Bulgaria's general elections last year, the local political scene has seen some changes. Balkan Insight brings you the profiles of the main political parties in the country's parliament.
