Over 800,000 Bulgarian Pensioners Live Below the Poverty Line
As of January, there are 2,065,573 pensioners in Bulgaria, with the average basic pension amounting to 835.91 leva, excluding additional supplements
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev criticized the influence of the oligarchy in the country, referencing the "Magnitsky-sanctioned figures" who he believes are undermining the state. He pointed out how certain powerful individuals manage to acquire state assets with little resistance, highlighting an instance where a building in Sofia was swiftly handed over to the "DPS - New Beginning" party. While not directly naming Delyan Peevski, the leader of the party, Radev made it clear whom he was referring to, stressing that such actions undermine the rule of law.
Radev further condemned the political environment in Bulgaria, accusing politicians of fostering corruption within institutions, which he says have turned into corrupt "clubs." He expressed concern over the capture of businesses, the protection of key figures involved in the collapse of Corporate Commercial Bank, and the degradation of the country’s political integrity. According to Radev, this pattern of behavior contributes to the weakening of Bulgaria’s statehood.
In a separate comment, the president refrained from discussing the potential election of Silvi Kirilov, the oldest MP, as Speaker of Parliament, a proposal backed by the "There Is Such a People" (TISP) party. Although the idea has garnered some support, including from "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB), Radev urged that further talks be held between parties before any decision is made.
Radev also expressed his hope that Bulgaria and Europe would soon find security, mentioning that the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president could help bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. He emphasized the need for all politicians to recognize the critical situation the country faces and prioritize forming a working government over merely postponing the issue until the next election.
Kiril Petkov, co-chair of the the Bulgarian party "We Continue the Change" and former Prime Minister, shared his experiences from Washington, where he was invited by friends from the Republican Party to attend the inauguration of the new U.S. president
Kostadin Kostadinov, the leader of the pro-Russian "Revival" party, discussed the potential impact of Donald Trump's return to power on Bulgaria
President Rumen Radev has emphasized that 2025 could be a pivotal year not just for Bulgaria, but for Europe and the world, as geopolitical processes continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace
Ivaylo Ivanov has stepped down from his position as Chief of the Political Cabinet of Interior Minister Daniel Mitov
Minister of Transport Grozdan Karadjov has announced that improving the safety of railway transport will be his top priority
Kiril Petkov, co-chairman of Bulgaria's "We Continue the Change" (WCC) party and former prime minister, will attend the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump
Bulgaria's Perperikon: A European Counterpart to Peru's Machu Picchu
Bulgarians Among EU's Least Frequent Vacationers, Struggling with Affordability