Big Win for Bulgaria and Romania as Austria Lifts Schengen Veto!
Austria has officially announced that it is lifting its veto on Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area by land
Amidst mounting controversy, the Georgian government's push for a law on "foreign agents" has ignited fierce debate, prompting President Salome Zourabichvili to assert her authority with a promised veto. The proposed legislation, which mandates registration for media and non-governmental organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad, has drawn sharp criticism for its perceived encroachment on freedom of expression and association.
According to reports from the Associated Press, the bill mirrors a previous iteration that was shelved by the ruling "Georgian Dream" party following widespread public outcry and street demonstrations. Termed the "Russian law" by opponents, the measure has raised concerns about Georgia's trajectory vis-à-vis its aspirations for European Union membership, with critics viewing it as a step away from EU values.
The revised text, while ostensibly similar to its predecessor, substitutes the contentious phrase "agents of foreign influence" with the ostensibly softer language of "protecting the interests of an external power." However, the semantic change has done little to assuage fears of government overreach and curtailment of civil liberties.
President Zourabichvili's impending veto underscores the government's internal divisions and the broader societal discord surrounding the proposed legislation. Yet, the efficacy of her action remains uncertain in light of impending constitutional changes set to alter the presidential election process.
Under the revised constitutional framework, slated to take effect following Zourabichvili's term, the next president will be elected by an electoral college comprising all deputies—a departure from the current direct popular vote system.
According to a study presented to MPs by Prof. Emilia Chengelova, from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the shadow (grey/informal) economy in Bulgaria remains high at 33%
A recent survey by digital payments company Visa reveals that most Bulgarians planning a winter vacation prefer to pay digitally at ski resorts
the last quarter of 2024, the proportion of properties purchased with mortgage loans in Bulgaria grew to 27%, or roughly every third property
Bulgaria's labor market remained stagnant throughout 2024
Retail sales across the European Union showed a decline in December, with both the eurozone and the EU reporting decreases
Bulgaria has the lowest minimum wage among the European Union member states as of January 2025, standing at 551 euros
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