Bulgaria’s Employment Strategy Struggles to Shift Focus from Temporary Subsidies to Long-Term Skills
Bulgaria’s Ministry of Labor and Social Policy released its National Employment Action Plan (NAP) for 2025 in early May,
Bulgaria's Deputy Energy Minister Mariy Kosev, who resigned on Wednesday, said his removal was prompted by "a change in the political environment" and the appointment of "a more politicized candidate".
"I have pressed for reforms while I was on the job, defending Bulgaria's national interests all the while", insisted Kosev, who resigned along with Transport Minister Alexander Tsvetkov.
The outgoing Deputy Energy Minister dismissed as "unfounded" claims by GERB MPs that his replacement was connected to the Renewable Energy Act. The controversial piece of legislation drove a rift between the business sector and the government, with allegations that it was too restrictive in nature.
The Belene NPP project, however, could have provoked the reshuffle, Kosev admitted, adding that he could not say that "for sure".
Kosev headed the working group on the financial terms of the project for a 2,000 megawatt nuclear plant on the Danube, in the northern town of Belene.
He was the one to disclose that Lukoil Bulgaria CEO Valentin Zlatev had been present at a meeting with the Russians. Later on, Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Traycho Traykov confirmed the statement, making it clear that Zlatev attended the meeting as an advisor to Rosatom.
This happened in the wake of the scandal between Minister Traykov and Zlatev over the cost of fuel in Bulgaria, which ended in a final warning for Traykov from Prime Minister Borisov.
Borisov's U-turn in favor of Belene nuclear plant earlier this year fuelled suspicions that links between the mafia and the political system run deep in the energy sector.
The man believed to be pulling the strings behind the curtains, the back seat ruler, is Valentin Zlatev, CEO of Lukoil Bulgaria. Analysts say it must be by no accident that only after he intervened in the talks for Belene Borisov suddenly changed his mind in favor of the project.
Brussels has unofficially warned Bulgaria’s Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova that the country’s euro adoption process could be suspended, according to BGNES, citing Nova TV.
"Everyone wants positions – in regulatory bodies and ministries," he emphasized.
Bulgaria’s toll system now has the technical capability to track average vehicle speeds, as announced by the National Toll Management following a meeting with Regional Development Minister Violeta Koritarova.
The income required to cover living expenses for a working individual and a three-member family with a child under 14 has remained almost unchanged compared to June, according to an analysis by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CI
The Council of Ministers has adopted a resolution to set the minimum wage at 1,077 leva, reflecting a 15.
Every 20 minutes, fire alerts are received from across Bulgaria.
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