Bulgarians Join Balkan Protest Against Soaring Food Prices
Bulgaria has joined Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro in organizing protests against rising food prices
Bulgaria's President Rosen Plevneliev urged prompt reforms of the country's energy sector, first thing after the elections next week.
In an interview for the bTV national channel, Plevneliev warned that unless the reforms are carried out immediately, the country might face “dramatic consequences, including bankruptcy”.
“We don't have much time and I plead for responsible and constructive approach and serious reforms in the energy sector, after the elections and the swearing in of the new National Assembly,” Plevneliev said.
He added that the first measure will be proposed by the current caretaker Government – the setting up of a politically independent and influential energy watchdog.
“Now we have a politicised regulator,” Plevneliev. “Its head is being ordered around about the party leaders. We have to realise that the National Electric Company (NEK) is facing bankruptcy. It has revenues of BGN 1 B and debts of BGN 3 B.”
For the ninth consecutive year (excluding 2022), the electrical industry remains the largest contributor to Bulgaria's exports, as reported by the Bulgarian Association of Electrical Engineering and Electronics (BASEL)
European natural gas prices have climbed above €55 per megawatt-hour for the first time in 16 months, driven by colder temperatures across the continent that are increasing demand for heating fuel
Serbian oil and gas company NIS, controlled by Russia’s Gazprom, is considering exiting its operations in Bulgaria and Romania due to ongoing difficulties in both markets
The Russian company Lukoil initiated the process of selling its Bulgarian assets in June last year, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced during a parliamentary hearing
In 2023, 10.6% of the population in the European Union reported being unable to keep their homes adequately warm
The Bulgarian government has announced a program to compensate businesses and non-household electricity subscribers for high energy costs until the end of March
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