HOT: » Which party would you vote for (if you could) in the upcoming snap vote in Bulgaria on April 19?
Send to Kindle
Bulgaria ranks second after Greece in the EU in terms of number of regular smokers as a percentage of the population, according to a Eurobarometer survey. Photo by EPA/BGNES
Bulgaria's ruling party may delay until 2011 the introduction of a new smoking ban in the country, which has the second highest percentage of smokers in the European Union.
The postponement in the introduction of the ban, initially set for June this year, aims to avoid hurting the tourist industry during times of crisis, according to the Finance Minister Simeon Djankov.
“I hope that this is a temporary delay and the measure will be introduced in Bulgaria. This is the trend across Europe and not only Europe - smoking is forbidden in all public buildings,“ Djankov commented.
Under the proposed changes the owners of restaurants, clubs and coffee shops with an area less than 100 square meters, should decide if smoking would be allowed, while for larger establishments there must be a well-isolated smoking space.
The full ban is to remain effective for all other public spaces.
The smoking ban was voted by the previous Parliament and is part of the Health Act amendments.
Bulgaria ranks second after Greece in the EU in terms of number of regular smokers as a percentage of the population, according to a Eurobarometer survey.
During a gathering in Stara Zagora with nearly 1,000 mayors from villages, municipalities, and regional cities, GERB leader Boyko Borissov spoke candidly about the party’s achievements and the upcoming electoral challenges
GERB leader Boyko Borissov met with ministers from the outgoing “Zhelyazkov” cabinet after they formally handed over power to the caretaker government, using the gathering to review the work of the administration and outline the party’s next political ste
GERB is set to hold a reporting and election national assembly on March 22 in Sofia, marking the start of the campaign for the early parliamentary elections scheduled for April 19
On Monday, Delyan Dobrev, chair of the parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee, former minister and long-standing figure in GERB, is expected to submit a request to withdraw both from the party’s Executive Committee and from parliament
GERB leader Boyko Borissov has confirmed that he will not be a candidate in Bulgaria’s 2026 presidential elections, reaffirming his longstanding disinterest in the office.
President Iliana Yotova has launched the second phase of consultations with parliamentary groups on the appointment of an acting prime minister, starting with the GERB group
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has decided that no official delegation will travel to Jerusalem this year to receive the Holy Fire, citing the ongoing tensions in the Middle East
Plovdiv will host the International Street Arts Festival 6Fest from April 20 to 26, 2026, turning the city into an open-air stage featuring performers from 11 countries across three continents
The Easter holiday getaway has officially begun in Bulgaria, with traffic leaving Sofia surging as thousands of people set off for the long weekend
Holy Thursday marks one of the most significant days in Holy Week, as Christians reflect on the final moments before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ
A homeless man discovered a sack containing human body parts next to a waste container in the Trakia residential district of Plovdiv, according to local media reports
The Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, together with streaming platform Netflix
Aniventure Comic Con Returns to Bulgaria with Star Guest Christopher Judge!
Global Fuel Shock: Oil Jumps Over 40% Since Iran War Began
