Bulgaria's Tourism Shifts Toward Experience-Focused Stays as Demand Grows
Tourism in Bulgaria is increasingly shifting from traditional hotel stays to more experience-focused offerings
The European Commission has requested clarification from Bulgaria regarding recent amendments to its education law, which prohibit "LGBTQ+ propaganda" in schools. European Equality Commissioner Helena Dallisent a letter to Education Minister Galin Tsokov on August 13, following President Rumen Radev's approval of the amendments for promulgation. The minister has two weeks to justify the legal changes.
Earlier this month, Bulgaria's National Assembly passed the amendments, which ban discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. The European Commission is now awaiting Sofia's response to determine whether these changes violate EU law. A spokesperson for the Commission emphasized that equality and respect for fundamental rights are core values of the EU, adding that the Commission is committed to combating discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, including within the education system.
In the Wake of Global Upheaval: Bulgaria's Regression on LGBTQ+ Rights and Ukraine’s Bold Offensive
The amendments have drawn criticism from human rights organizations, and Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, expressed deep concern over the law, urging the Bulgarian president not to sign it. Despite international pressure and protests within Bulgaria, President Radev signed the amendments on August 15. Currently, Hungary is the only other EU member state with a similar law, and the European Commission has initiated legal proceedings against the Hungarian government for violating citizens' fundamental rights.
US Vice President JD Vance delivered a critical speech at the Munich Security Conference
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Europe cannot indefinitely rely on the US military presence
The NATO defense ministers' meeting in Brussels and the Munich Security Conference have drawn significant attention this week, with US President Donald Trump's approach to Ukraine and Russia
The European Parliament has reiterated its refusal to recognize the self-proclaimed authorities of Georgia
A major police operation is underway in Munich after a car plowed into a crowd of demonstrators near the city's central train station
The European Commission has referred Bulgaria, along with Spain, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, and Finland, to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to transpose
Bulgaria's Perperikon: A European Counterpart to Peru's Machu Picchu
Bulgarians Among EU's Least Frequent Vacationers, Struggling with Affordability