Home Page
 

Latest Views from Bulgaria

drive-for-balkan-extradition-deal-nears-end
23 Dec 11 / 12:26:39

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
24 Nov 11 / 11:58:16

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.

presidential-win-poses-test-for-bulgaria-s-reforming-zeal
03 Nov 11 / 16:18:01

Presidential Win Poses Test For Bulgaria’s Reforming Zeal

After the recent presidential and mayoral elections, Bulgaria’s GERB party now holds all the levers in its hands – but will this translate into reforms?

bulgaria-s-borisov-faces-mounting-pressure
03 Aug 11 / 13:48:49

Bulgaria’s Borisov Faces Mounting Pressure

Rising criticism from Brussels and at home is forcing Bulgaria’s centre-right government and its pugnacious leader onto the defensive.

little-to-celebrate-halfway-through-europe-s-roma-decade
08 Jul 11 / 12:08:09

Little to Celebrate Halfway through Europe’s ‘Roma Decade’

Despite high expectations, the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015 initiative is yet to make its mark and significantly improve the lot of Roma communities, say activists and campaigners.

an-orthodox-shot-of-the-balkans
23 Jun 11 / 16:41:40

An Orthodox Shot of the Balkans

As Europe gets ever more secular, films about religion, ironically, seem to be gaining popularity. The latest offering from Serbia, about the Orthodox Church in neighbouring Bulgaria, is a welcome addition.

bulgaria-gays-bank-on-biggest-pride-parade
17 Jun 11 / 09:51:51

Bulgaria Gays Bank on Biggest Pride Parade

Society may be hostile and money short, but with even elderly grandmothers sewing banners for this Saturday’s march, Sofia gays and lesbians believe time is on their side.

bulgaria-dreams-of-becoming-china-s-gate-to-europe
16 Jun 11 / 09:56:42

Bulgaria Dreams of Becoming China’s Door to Europe

Sofia hopes to market itself as a portal to the EU for Chinese companies – but with Beijing's investment fairly modest so far, it has a way to go.

bulgarian-nationalists-risk-political-isolation
09 Jun 11 / 11:45:28

Bulgarian Nationalists Risk Political Isolation

Bulgaria's far-right nationalist party, Ataka, faces political isolation as members and allies distance themselves after party supporters clashed with Muslims at a mosque in downtown Sofia.

construction-halt-leaves-belene-s-fate-in-balance
03 May 11 / 10:08:35

Construction Halt Leaves Belene’s Fate in Balance

Temporary work stoppage on controversial nuclear plant, pending review of costs, is unlikely to be end of the story, given the country’s hunger for new energy sources.

roma-decade-passes-bulgarian-roma-by
18 Apr 11 / 09:08:57

‘Roma Decade’ Passes Bulgarian Roma By

As increasing numbers of Bulgarians voice resentment over government spending on Roma integration projects, including the European Roma Decade initiative, most Roma remain trapped in a cycle of poor education, unemployment and poverty.

macedonian-remains-a-dirty-word-in-bulgaria
22 Feb 11 / 08:22:42

Macedonian Remains a Dirty Word in Bulgaria

People in southwest Bulgaria are having a hard time declaring themselves as Macedonians in the ongoing census – proof that this ethnic minority is far from winning acceptance in the country.

bulgaria-s-service-7-reveals-its-deadly-secrets
03 Feb 11 / 08:40:16

Bulgaria’s ‘Service 7’ Reveals its Deadly Secrets

Files released under freedom of information legislation prove that Bulgaria’s secret service had a shadowy department, Service 7, which was specially tasked with kidnapping and assassinating foreign émigrés.

bulgaria-finally-gets-hold-of-more-eu-cash
21 Jan 11 / 11:11:32

Bulgaria Finally Gets Hold of More EU Cash

Accessing 10 per cent of available funding from Brussels may not sound like much to celebrate - but after years of making almost no use of European money at all, Sofia feels cheery.

bulgaria-election-threat-to-gerb-s-authority
05 Jan 11 / 12:25:18

Bulgaria: Election Threat to GERB’s Authority

Country faces two elections, presidential and mayoral, more budget discipline - and its bid to join the Schengen zone could be delayed.