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Kiril Zhelev. File photo
Bulgarian Finance Minister Petar Chobanov has appointed Kiril Zhelev as the new director of the country’s Customs Agency.
Zhelev is a former Deputy Finance Minister (2007-2009), a former member of the Finance Supervision Commission (2009-2010) and a former MP in Bulgaria’s 36th and 37th National Assemblies.
He last worked as chief of staff of former left-wing MEP Kristian Vigenin, who is now Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister.
The Socialist-led government fired former Customs Agency director Vanyo Tanov on August 21, a day after Tanov released from the hospital where he underwent treatment for two months.
Borislav Borisov was then briefly appointed as acting Customs Agency head. However, the government appeared to have made a blunder, as the law does not provide having an acting Customs chief . Borisov had to be fired, as he was not the government’s favorite for the job.
Monday marks the 81st straight day of anti-government protests in Bulgaria. The relentless rallies were triggered by a number of controversial appointments and wider concerns about corruption in EU’s poorest member state.
Boyko Borissov delivered a brief address on his Instagram profile, aimed at GERB supporters, party members and anyone who wants to see Bulgaria progress
The chairman of GERB’s Sofia youth organization, Nikola Skorcheliev, accused former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov indirectly of stirring unrest during Monday’s protest
Tensions around the 2026 draft budget escalated sharply in the Bulgarian parliament after GERB leader Boyko Borissov was confronted by WCC-DB deputies while speaking to journalists
GERB leader Boyko Borissov announced that his party will put forward a proposal for a Christmas supplement of 120 lev, which is about 61.36 euros
A customs inspector in Bulgaria has been detained following the discovery of cash totaling over 110,000 leva (around 50,000 euros) in his residence
Bulgaria’s ruling party does not plan to alter the proposed state budget for 2026, following a meeting between union leaders and GERB chairman Boyko Borissov
The government is making a second clumsy attempt to introduce the state budget.
People with disabilities in Bulgaria face the most severe difficulties in the entire European Union, alongside Greece
The current patient fee for a medical consultation has lost its purpose and no longer serves its intended functions, according to Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) chairman Dr.
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.
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