The Bulgarian Air Force is hosting the international exercise Thracian Star 2025, which continues until July 25 2025, according to an announcement by the Defence Ministry.

The exercise, first held in 2010, involves the air forces of Bulgaria, the United States, Greece and Romania, and the Multinational Battle Group in Bulgaria with the framework country Italy.

Joint flights and tasks will be held in Bulgarian air space.

The Defence Ministry listed the Bulgarian Air Force aircraft taking part as MiG-29s, L-39s, Su-25s and a Cougar helicopter, as well as air defence systems. It did not mention the Bulgarian Air Force’s two F-16s.

There are F-16s involved – from the US, Greek and Romanian air forces.

(Photo: Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence)

During July and August 2025, the square in front of the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral will again transform into a space for grand open-stage performances, Sofia Opera and Ballet said.

On July 11, 12 and 13, The Hermit of Rila – about St John of Rila, with a script by Tihomir Pavlov and score by Father Kiril Popov, will be performed.

The performances are dedicated to the 1160th anniversary of Bulgaria’s adoption of Christianity.

On July 24, a series of 10 performances of Les Misérables by Alain Boublil and Claud-Michel Schonberg will begin (presented under an agreement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Ltd and Cameron Mackintosh Ltd).

This production marks the 140th anniversary of the deaht of Victor Hugo, one of the biggest names in French and world literature.

Les Misérables is one of the most performed musicals in the world and now it will be set following Plamen Kartaloff’s director’s concept.

The festival at the Alexander Nevsky cathedral square will close on August 8 with a grand performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s ninth symphony, with the world-famous maestro Daniel Oren conducting and performances by Jessica Pratt, Violeta Radomirska, Gregory Kunde and Alexandar Vinogradov.

The performance of Beethoven’s final symphony is dedicated to the 240th anniversary of the creation of Ode to Joy by Friedrich Schiller, Sofia Opera and Ballet said.

Further details about performances and tickets are available at Sofia Opera and Ballet’s website.

Bulgaria’s National Assembly voted on July 11 to reject the fourth motion of no confidence in the Rossen Zhelyazkov government that took office in January.

In the 240-seat Parliament, the vote was 131 against and 83 in favour, with no abstentions.

The motion was tabled by populist-nationalist party Velichie, Parliament’s smallest group, and was supported by the signatures of populist-nationalist party Mech, Parliament’s second-smallest group, and pro-Russian party Vuzrazhdane. It was on the topic of the environment.

The votes against came from Boiko Borissov’s GERB-UDF, Magnitsky-Act sanctioned Delyan Peevski’s Movement for Rights and Freedoms – New Beginning, the Bulgarian Socialist Party – United Left, populist ITN and the four non-aligned MPs.

The votes in favour came from Velichie, Mech, Vuzrazhdane, We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, and the Ahmed Dogan loyalists of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF).

Of the votes from the WCC – DB group, all but one came from WCC. Minutes before the start of the July 11 sitting, DB said that it would not participate in the vote, barring casting one vote in favour.

WCC-DB previously shunned the first three motions of no confidence, saying that it did not want to prejudice Bulgaria’s path to the euro zone. On July 8, European Union finance ministers gave final and official approval to Bulgaria adopting the euro as its currency as of the beginning of 2026.

ARF, formerly a supporter of the ruling majority before withdrawing its support, also voted in favour, though like WCC, the votes it added could not bring the total in favour close to the minimum 121 required for the motion to be approved.

The first motion of no confidence in the Zhelyazkov was tabled by Vuzrazhdane in April, on the grounds of foreign policy, and the second was tabled later in April by Mech, on the grounds of corruption. The third, which was rejected on July 4, was tabled by Vuzrazhdane, Mech and Veliche, on the grounds of what they called the failure the government’s fiscal policy.

(Photo: parliament.bg)

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More than 100 billboards in Bulgarian, English and Turkish about the risks of hiding illegal migrants in lorries will be placed on the main transit routes of Bulgaria in an awareness campaign by Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry and the British embassy in Sofia, the ministry said on July 10.

The campaign is aimed at lorry drivers who unwittingly or knowingly assist in the concealment of migrants.

Deputy Minister Toni Todorov said at a launch event that the transportation of illegal migrants in heavy lorries is one of the riskiest forms of smuggling.

Such actions violate the law and put the migrants themselves at risk, Todorov said.

Border Police head Anton Zlatanov said: “A few days ago, we stopped a lorry with more than 48 migrants hiding, who were in very serious condition, dehydrated due to the high temperatures, together with the Bourgas Ambulance, we managed to save them”.

He said that there were cases of migrants hiding in heavy lorries almost daily. This was extremely dangerous and often resulted in ill-health or death, he said.

All reports related to illegal migration and human trafficking are transmitted for response by the operators in the emergency number 112 centres to Border Police on duty.

The Interior Ministry statement quoted British ambassador Nathaniel Copsey as saying that this campaign is just one step, but visibility matters.

He said that human trafficking is a crime that destroys and kills human destinies. Today this message will reach people all over Bulgaria, Copsey said.

(Photo: Interior Ministry)

Sofia municipality has withdrawn from the maintenance of Vrana Park in the Bulgarian capital city as of July 10 and the park is closed to visitors until further notice.

The move follows Sofia mayor Vassil Terziev issuing on July 7 a public ultimatum to the state to respond by July 9 to the muncipality’s proposals for the management of the park.

“This is necessary after more than a year of persistent attempts by the municipality and postponement by the owner of the property – the state – to resolve the issue of the management of the park,” a July 7 statement by Sofia municipality said.

Along with withdrawing from the maintenance of the park, Sofia municipality is also suspending the bus line to the park that it initiated in June 2013, soon after the park was opened to visitors.

On July 10, Sofia deputy mayor in charge of environmental matters Nadezhda Bobcheva told reporters that the keys to the part would be sent, along with documentation, to Sofia district governor Stefan Arsov.

Bulgarian National Television showed municipal lorries removing items from the park that the municipality had installed, such as security booths, benches and bins.

Bobcheva said that the Parks and Gardens municipal enterprise had records of all assets and investments in Vrana Park.

“This process can be documented – what exactly the municipality has done during the entire management period,” she said.

Much of the wooded vegetation and infrastructure in the park is in a poor state and there have been incidents in which trees fell into major thoroughfare Tsarigradsko Chaussee, which the park adjoins.

Sofia municipality has been spending about 500 000 to 600 000 leva a year on maintenance and has complained that its revenue falls short of what is needed to maintain the park properly, with earnings from visitors adding up to only about 150 000 leva a year. Special care and much more funding are required, the municipality said.

District governor Stefan Arsov told the media that he had found out about Terziev’s ultimatum from social networks. He told Bulgarian National Television that the state would find a way to manage the park, as well as to continue to receive visitors.

“We learned that Sofia municipality will leave the property through social networks, there is no official communication, no letter. So the state will take up its rights as quickly as possible so that we can clear up this case and the park can be effectively managed and accessible to all Sofia residents,” Arsov said.

The district administration said that a sustainable management model for the cultural, historical and natural asset was being sought.

It said that an interdepartmental working group has been created to prepare such a model. It includes representatives of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance and other institutions.

The goal is to guarantee “the long-term preservation, accessibility and development of the park”, as the care of the park requires significant expert, financial and administrative resources, which no district administration has, it said.

Bobcheva said: “We have done everything that depends on us. We proposed an option for managing it. We have received absolutely nothing from the regional administration. For a year and a half I have not understood the official position of the state. It seems like the state is at war with Sofia”.

The park covers nearly 100ha and has hundreds of decorative plant species.

Vrana Palace in the park was built between 1904 and 1912 as a royal residence for Tsar Ferdinand I, a keen botanist and ornithologist – he reportedly named the palace after the first bird that landed on its roof (“vrana” is Bulgarian for crow).

Bombed by Allied forces during the Second World War, it was rebuilt after the war and became a state residence used by Bulgaria’s communist leaders after the end of the monarchy in 1946.

The palace was returned to former monarch Simeon Saxe-Coburg and his sister, Maria Luiza, following a decision by the Constitutional Court in 1998.

A 2023 court decision placed the park in the hands of the state.

(Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)

European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled on July 10 a new 2.3 billion euro package of agreements with international and bilateral public financial institutions to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.

“It shows the EU’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s recovery and its future in the EU,” the EC said.

The new 2.3 billion euro package of agreements signed with international and bilateral public financial institutions under the Ukraine Investment Framework, includes 1.8 billion euro in loan guarantees and 580 million euro in grants.

It is expected to mobilise up to 10 billion euro in investments in Ukraine, the EC said.

Von der Leyen said: “Today, the EU reaffirms its role as Ukraine’s strongest partner. Not just its top donor, but a key investor in its future.

“With 2.3 billion euro in agreements signed, we aim to unlock up to 10 billion euro in investments to rebuild homes, reopen hospitals, revive businesses, and secure energy. This is solidarity in action.

“Ukraine is moving closer to the EU every day — in energy, education, roaming, and culture. Europe stands with Ukraine – today and tomorrow,” Von der Leyen said.

The statement said that the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025, being held in Rome on July 10 and 11, has for objectives to keep the international focus on Ukraine’s recovery, during the war and after.

It is a platform for aligning political support and mobilising funding, the statement said.

“While the EU is taking steps to support Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts, it is also strengthening the country’s institutions and promoting long-term sustainability,” it said.

“In this context, the conference will be the opportunity to showcase and present key initiatives to reinforce Ukraine capacities, and closer links with the EU.”

(Photo: European Parliament)

The European Parliament, in a vote on July 10, rejected a motion of censure against the Ursula von der Leyen European Commission.

In the 720-seat European Parliament, 553 MEPs voted – 175 in favour, 360 against, with 18 abstentions.

For the vote to have been approved, at least 480 MEPs – two-thirds of the members of the House – would have had to have voted in favour.

This was the first vote of censure of the Von der Leyen Commission, and was tabled largely on the basis of her refusal to provide access to messages exchanged with pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer regarding the supply of more than a billion doses worth several billion euro during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The rejected motion, tabled by Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea from the eurosceptic European Conservatives and Reformists group, called on the Commission to resign “due to repeated failures to ensure transparency and to its persistent disregard for democratic oversight and the rule of law within the Union”.

In the debate on the vote on July 7, Von der Leyen said that representatives of all EU countries were involved in negotiating the supplies.

She said that every contract negotiated was examined in detail in all EU capitals before being signed by each of the 27 EU member states.

“There were no secrets, no hidden clauses, no obligation to buy for member states,” she told the European Parliament.

According to Von der Leyen, this motion supported by enemies of the EU, among whom she named Russia.

“We can follow Mr Piperea down his world of conspiracies and alleged sinister plots… or we can clearly call this out for what it is: another crude attempt to drive a wedge between our institutions,” Von der Leyen said.

In January – May 2025, the total value of all the goods exported from Bulgaria amounted to 33 015.9 million leva, 4.7 per cent less than in January – May 2024, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said on July 10, citing preliminary data.

In May 2025, the total exports of goods added up to 6 517.5 million leva, a decrease of 4.6 per cent compared with May 2024.

The total value of all the goods imported into Bulgaria in January – May 2025 was 40 707.2 million leva (at CIF prices), 3.2 per cent more than in January – May 2024.

In May 2025, the total imports of goods decreased by 3.4 per cent compared with May 2024, adding up to 7 598.7 million leva.

Bulgaria’s total foreign trade balance (exports FOB – imports CIF) was negative in January – May 2025, amounting to 7 691.3 million leva.

In May 2025, the total foreign trade balance (exports FOB – import CIF) was also negative, adding up to 1 081.2 million leva, the NSI said.

(Photo: ephe drin/ freeimages.com)

A national air transport strike will be held in Italy for a duration of 24 hours on July 10, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said.

The strike will affect major airports in the country and will affect the normal operation of flights, including the process of check-in, baggage handling and ground handling.

In order to minimise inconvenience to travellers and in compliance with the regulations of the Italian Civil Aviation Agency (ENAC), airlines must operate their flights in the time zones from 7am to 10am and from 6pm to 9pm.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Bulgarian citizens residing short-term or long-term in Italy during the specified period regularly check the information on the ENAC website, as well as monitor the information published by the relevant airlines, the statement said.

(Photo: Saggittarius A, via Wikimedia Commons)

If you run a business or are responsible for a corporate budget, you know well that a company fleet is a big expense that needs to be seriously considered.

However, operating leasing changes the approach – from “car ownership” to “mobility management”.

For a fixed subscription fee each month, companies not only receive a car of their choice, but also free up funds, as they account for the service as a monthly, rather than capital, expense and thus do not block company funds.

When the contract term expires, the vehicle can be returned, and the company can easily choose a newer, more efficient, or more environmentally friendly one – according to its needs and strategy.

John Saffrett is Deputy CEO of the world’s largest operating leasing provider – Ayvens , part of the Société Générale group.

The company manages more than 3.4 million vehicles in 41 countries. It was born from the merger of two global leaders – ALD Automotive and LeasePlan in 2023 and has a concrete plan to meet the changes in the field of mobility related to electrification, technology and sustainability.

We spoke to John Saffrett at Ayvens ‘ office in Bulgaria to understand why, after 28 years with the company, he remains enthusiastic about the future of mobility.

For whom are the solutions you offer suitable – are they only for large corporate players, or for smaller companies as well?

What we offer is suitable for everyone. Depending on the maturity of the market, we work with large international clients, large local corporate fleets, small and medium-sized companies.

In some countries we also work with private clients. If I look at the Bulgarian market, I see serious potential in large corporations. But over 50 per cent of our fleet is under 50 vehicles – that is, we are talking about small and medium-sized enterprises, where we see great potential for switching to operational leasing.

Therefore, we need to help the market understand what operating leasing is and what its advantages are.

What are the advantages of operating leasing in the long term compared with purchasing a car?

The market is still oriented towards financial leasing, but I think we can contribute with the expertise we have. The full value of owning a car is far from being limited to the interest rate – how much does it cost to maintain the car, how much does it cost to change the tyres.

For example, thanks to the scale of the company, we buy tyres at lower prices than what a person would pay if they went to a service center themselves.

We service cars cheaper than if you did it yourself.

We can also offer insurance that is more affordable.

Financial leasing is designed to allow the customer to acquire the vehicle at the end of the contract – after four to five years. However, our observations show that when an internal combustion engine vehicle – petrol or diesel – reaches these four to five years, problems start to appear, parts wear out, and costs increase.

For small and medium-sized enterprises, the car is of key importance. And that is why an increasing part of this segment in other European countries is switching to operational leasing. Often it is light commercial vehicles that are essential for the delivery of goods, materials or services.

And then the customer says to himself: “I’m paying 350 euro a month for this car anyway, it’s better to continue with a fixed cost of 350 euro a month and get a new car than to face problems if I buy it and then it goes into service – then I won’t be able to serve my customers, deliver my goods or visit my sites.”

We see this development curve in every market – from purchase to financing, then to finance lease type financing and then to operating leasing. I do not expect Bulgaria to be any different, but I believe that this transition will accelerate with the entry of even more investments that we can expect with the eurozone. This will stimulate the adoption of operating leasing and will change people’s thinking.

Operational leasing is actually one of the first forms of subscription service – you have a car for four to five to six years, you pay a fixed monthly amount, you use it, everything is included except fuel. Then you return it and get a new one.

You have no commitments to buying, selling, or maintaining – everything is included.

And with the arrival of new generations who prefer this particular usage model, this product will become increasingly attractive.

So can we say that Bulgaria is at the beginning of this path?

Yes, I think you are in the early stages of this journey. We have been in Bulgaria for a little over 10 years, and our experience in other markets shows that development is gradual. Sometimes government tax policies or incentives can accelerate this transition.

It usually starts with the corporate sector. Large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises are the first, and then private buyers also show interest.

And this trend will continue, because many corporations will say, “I’m an expert in supermarket management, or in soft drink distribution, or in the pharmaceutical industry. But I’m not an expert in fleet management – so I’ll turn to a professional to do it for me.”

And this is completely logical – in life we ​​always look for the best experts to help us with what we are not strong at.

And I believe that this is exactly what will accelerate the transition in Bulgaria, both to operational leasing and to a more environmentally friendly fleet.

Can large companies like yours contribute to supporting the green transition – and how?

Of course. We are already working with a number of local and national authorities in other countries, where we provide advice on how to manage the transition to sustainable mobility. What tax incentives work – both for the purchase of new electric and plug-in hybrid cars, and for the used car market.

If we look at the car fleet in Bulgaria – a significant part of it is very old. And that means it’s quite polluting.

Therefore, these cars need to be replaced and people need to switch to newer, cleaner vehicles. Leasing can often be an effective tool in this transition.

Consumers may be hesitant to buy an electric car because they don’t know what the experience is like. They may also not want to lease a new one because it seems expensive.

But if they can lease a used electric car that is four to five to six years old, it will facilitate the entry of such vehicles into the general public. This is a way to democratize access to electric cars – because, as we said, they are still expensive.

Leasing products actually make electric vehicles more accessible to people, and that’s why we can work with governments and local authorities on such programs, as well as with banks and local providers who want to offer mobility solutions to their customers.

What is your view on the infrastructure in Bulgaria?

Charging infrastructure — yes, that’s always the first big hurdle to transitioning to electric vehicles. And it’s important both at home and in public places.

Many people overestimate how many kilometres they drive per day. And there are already electric cars with a range of 300 to 400km on a single charge.

Our analysis of customer journeys shows that if a person has a charger at home and charges at night, 80 per cent of people will never need to charge in public because their daily mileage is lower. And if they reach a destination, there is often a charging station there too.

We need to think about the remaining 20 per cent , but they are the “noisy” part – those who say “there is no place to charge”, “I can’t travel”, “there are no stations on the highway”, and so on.

But that will change. Eldrive, for example, is one of the main companies investing in charging infrastructure in Bulgaria.

As demand grows, more companies will join the development of this infrastructure. We will also see an increasing evolution towards fast charging — sessions where the battery is charged to 80 per cent in 15 minutes instead of three hours.

Then refuelling will start to look like a regular gas stop: you stop, refuel, get a coffee, something to eat, go to the bathroom — and get back in the car. With fast charging, we’re already entering this scenario where you can make a short stop and continue.

Unlike diesel and petrol cars, electric cars can be charged in many more places at home, in shops, and on motorways.

Bulgaria is certainly already reaching this level.

Ayvens is the world’s leading company in the field of mobility. What are your predictions for the development of operational leasing and the challenges in this sector?

Our vision is first and foremost about supporting our clients. We start from their needs – what they need now and what they will need in five to 10 years, and how we can help them meet the challenges of the future.

The first of these is the transition to electric mobility.

It is not easy because it represents a completely different model of car use compared to what we have known for the past 50–60 years with petrol and diesel cars.

There are challenges related to charging infrastructure . Many European countries are changing their tax systems and introducing incentives to encourage electrification. There is also a price effect – these cars, especially the first generation, are usually more expensive than the market can bear or people can afford.

That’s why we need to help clients through this entire process. Because we work in so many markets, we have more information than anyone else and can provide the necessary expertise.

Companies are under pressure to act more responsibly and reduce their environmental footprint on the planet, in order to preserve it for future generations.

This means we need to help corporations not only with their company fleet, but also with the overall mobility of their employees — whether it’s commuting to work, choosing transportation to customers, or ensuring sustainable mobility for all their employees.

The entire mobility sector faces a huge transformation challenge – it is one of the last industries yet to digitise.

There are many physical touchpoints in it – car pickup and drop-off, service, maintenance, repairs, etc. All of them have huge potential for digitalisation.

Standards are extremely high today. If people use platforms like Uber or Bolt and get a flawless digital experience, or Revolut for banking, they expect the same quality of digital services in every other area of ​​their lives.

And our ambition is to digitalise processes so that it is easier for drivers and fleet managers to manage their fleet.

It is expected that by 2030, more than 60 per cent of new cars in Europe will be electric. How does Bulgaria fit into this transition?

We see that a second wave of countries is now beginning to feel the challenge of electrification.

In Bulgaria, you face all the challenges that we have already observed in other European markets: the high price of electric cars, the insufficient charging infrastructure, the uncertainty of the average buyer.

The transition usually starts in the corporate sector. Companies have requirements and commitments to be more sustainable.

And what is exciting for Bulgaria is that with your entry into the euro zone in January next year, we expect an increase in investments from large companies.

I believe they will come with sustainability requirements and this will accelerate the penetration of electric vehicles and drive sustainable transformation.

In terms of digitalisation, Bulgaria is one of the countries that is developing faster in this direction, perhaps because you don’t carry so much inherited “old” – the feeling here is of innovation and a new economy.

What is your advice to businesses?

Companies need to think about the “total cost of ownership” when considering how to finance their fleet.

They should not automatically reject the option of leasing used cars – especially when we are talking about electric cars. Because electric cars have a longer life and simpler mechanics.

This article first was published, in Bulgarian, on the Boulevard Bulgaria website.

Bulgaria’s Cabinet approved on July 9 amendments to the Preschool and School Act that, if approved by Parliament, would mean a ban on using mobile phones in schools.

The amendments provide that pupils would be able to use mobile phones in schools only for strictly educational and medical purposes, as well as in force majeure circumstances.

The amendments also provide for accelerated language support in Bulgarian for children who do not speak it, including those returning from abroad. The motive is that pupils who do not know Bulgarian have difficulties at school, leading to loss of motivation, and in the long term – to dropping out of the education system.

Another legislative change supports young talents in the fields of mathematics and natural sciences.

With regard to discipline, teachers’ powers to impose a larger set of warning measures in case of unacceptable behaviour of pupils are proposed to be expanded.

The proposed amendments provide for the introduction a “mandatory elective” class on upbringing in goodness and formation of values ​​- virtues and religions. Parents and pupils will able to choose from three programmes. Religion will not be mandatory for any pupils. No marks will be given for this subject.

The amendments also expand access to education for children with special educational needs.

A national political row has erupted in Bulgaria over the July 8 arrest of Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev, which his lawyer has alleged is politically-motivated and has described as repression.

Kotsev, who in November 2023 was elected mayor on a We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (WCC-DB) ticket, defeating incumbent Ivan Portnih of Boiko Borissov’s GERB, is in 24-hour custody and as of the morning of July 9, has not been charged.

WCC has called a protest in front of Varna municipality on July 9 “to defend our mayor from political repression”. WCC frequently has alleged that its public figures are singled out for prosecution while allegations surrounding people from the ruling majority are not followed up.

WCC leader Assen Vassilev told reporters in the National Assembly that the whole parliamentary group would go to Varna for the protest.

The owner of the Zaliva 47-SP catering company, Plamenka Dimitrova, alleged to bTV that she had been subject to attempted extortion in 2024 in connection with a public procurement contract for feeding underprivileged children and had lodged a complaint with the anti-corruption commission.

The contract, worth 1.5 million leva, had been won by another company.

Dimitrova told bTV that she had been a partner of the municipality for 16 years: “This is the first time they have asked me for a bribe and I am subjected to pressure and unlawful actions”.

She alleged that she had been subject to intimidation and there had been a treat to her life, her family and her business.

Dimitova said that she had spoken directly with Kotsev, who she alleged personally held the talks on percentages.

According to Dimitrova, Kotsev told her that a high-ranking person in WCC was aware of the issue and had ordered the collection of the percentages in question. Dimitrova did not specify who this person was, but assumed that it was Vassilev.

Kotsev’s lawyer Milen Ralchev told reporters on July 9 that an arrest warrant had been served on Kotsev at 11.30pm on July 8, in connection with a case by the anti-corruption commission and the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office.

“The warrant did not explain the grounds for the arrest,” Ralchev said.

“In spite of our insistent requests, it was not explained to us what necessitated the mayor to be arrested in July 2025 in a case initiated in 2024,” he said.

Ralchev said that before Kotsev’s arrest, the mayor’s home and office had been searched.

“The search warrant was issued on July 2 2025. The arrest warrant was dated five days later. We believe that this warrant is devoid of any legal basis. This is repression,” Ralchev said.

He said that an appeal would be lodged against the arrest warrant, which Ralchev said was in his opinion unlawful.

“I see a political context for this arrest and the pursuit of political goals. I briefly familiarised myself with the allegations of a lady as the complainant. I can describe them as frivolous and ridiculous.”

Bulgarian media reported on July 9 that WCC-DB activists had found a photo of Borissov from 2015 with staff of Zaliva 47-SP.

Vassilev said that that over the last three years of Portnih’s tenure as mayor of Varna, Zaliva 47-SP has won orders worth six million leva.

“The company applied for the relevant order and lost it in September 2024. It appealed to the CPC (competition protection commission), which rejected the appeal a little over a month later.

“Then the company appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court, which on December 17 left the decision in force and ordered the company to pay 4500 leva because it lost the case. This is the moment when the woman in question realised that she had been asked for a bribe and filed a report with the prosecutor’s office and the Bulgarian anti-corruption commission,” he said.

Vassilev said that Movement for Rights and Freedoms leader Delayn Peevski was trying to help Borissov win Varna and Sofia by official means after Borissov failed to win them in elections. 

Borissov, speaking to reporters in the National Assembly on July 9, said: “I listened to what a woman said on TV, that’s all I know.”

Asked to comment on the accusations by WCC-DB that he was the first to report the arrest, Borissov said: “When the WCC-DB talk to you and say ‘good day”‘ you can turn on your light, it means it’s already dark.”

Asked about a photo showing him receiving a note at a news conference on July 8 saying that Kotsev had been arrested, Borissov said: “”They give me a note, what can I say, what do I know, they just told me and gave me a note that they told me”.

(Photo of Kotsev: jellybeanlover, via Wikimedia Commons)

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European Union finance ministers activated on July 8 the national escape clause under the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) for 15 member states to help facilitate their transition to higher defence spending at national level while ensuring debt sustainability, a statement by the Council of the EU said.

The member states concerned are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia.

The clause covers a period of four years and a maximum of 1.5 per cent of GDP in flexibility.

In practice, this activation means that the European Commission and the Council of the EU may decide not to open a new excessive deficit procedure for these 15 member states, even though they exceed the maximum net expenditure path as approved by the Council, provided that this excess is due to increased defence spending.

For all other expenses, member states remain bound by the budgetary rules and must remain committed to the implementation of the revised economic governance framework irrespective of the clause’s activation.

The use of this flexibility should contribute substantially to bolstering the defence and security capabilities of the European Union and the protection of citizens, the statement said.

It will also reinforce the EU’s overall defence readiness, reduce strategic dependencies, address critical capability gaps and strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base across the EU, it said.

(Photo: Diehl Defence)

The euro will bring Bulgaria new opportunities, investment, jobs and growth, European Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told a news conference on July 8 after EU finance and economy ministers gave final and official approval to Bulgaria adopting the euro as its currency as of January 1 2026.

“Joining the euro area is about much more than replacing the lev with the euro,” Dombrovskis said.

“It is about building a brighter and more prosperous future for Bulgaria and its citizens at the heart of Europe,” he said.

The euro will bring new opportunities, investment, jobs and growth, he said: “That has been the experience of people in other euro area member states and it will also be the case for Bulgaria”.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov said in a message on X: “We did it! As of 1.1.2026, Bulgaria will officially adopt the euro.

“We thank all institutions, partners and everyone whose efforts made this landmark moment possible,” Zhelyazkov said.

The government remains committed to a smooth and effective transition to the euro in the interest of all citizens, he said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on X: “On 1 January 2026, Bulgaria will become our 21st Eurozone country. This means more than just a new currency – it is a real achievement. The euro will strengthen Bulgaria’s economy and bring big benefits for Bulgarian people and businesses.”

The head of the central bank, Bulgarian National Bank governor Dimitar Radev, told news agency BTA in an interview on July 8 that joining the euro zone is a strategic choice that brings stability, trust and access to powerful financial and economic resources.

Joining the euro zone “means fewer barriers to business, lower transaction costs and deeper penetration of the Bulgarian economy into European production and market networks,” Radev said.

Others congratulating Bulgaria included European Central Bank (ECB) chief Christine Lagarde.

In a July 8 media statement, the ECB said that it and Bulgarian National Bank had agreed to monitor developments in the Bulgarian lev against the euro on the foreign exchange market until January 1 2026.

Boiko Borissov, the former prime minister who leads the Bulgarian Parliament’s largest group, GERB-UDF, said on X: “My gratitude to all Bulgarian & European institutions, partners, members of Parliament and everyone whose efforts made this possible!”

We Continue the Change party leader and former finance minister Assen Vassilev said in a video message on Facebook: “Bulgaria is now a full member of the euro zone. With this, we are now a full member of the European Union in all its formats”.

“With the decision of the European Parliament today, the process is completed and the change has happened,” Vassilev said. There is not a single decision that can be made without Bulgarian participation and without the Bulgarian voice being heard, he said.

“From now on, whether we will live by European standards depends only on us,” Vassilev said.

The European Commission (EC) posted on July 8 a “question and answer” article, following the decision earlier in the day by EU finance and economy ministers to approve Bulgaria adopting the euro as its currency as of January 1 2026:

What decision did the Council take today? 

The European Commission published its 2025 Convergence Report on 4 June 2025. The report confirmed that Bulgaria has met the criteria to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026. As a result of that assessment, the Commission adopted proposals for a Council Decision on Bulgaria adopting the euro and a Council Regulation to include Bulgaria in the list of countries that have adopted the euro as their national currency. At the end of June, the Commission also adopted a second proposal for a Council regulation that sets the conversion rate at which the national currency will be replaced by the euro.

Based on a recommendation by the euro area Ministers of Finance, consultations in the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN), the endorsement by the Heads of State or Government (European Council), and favourable opinions by the European Parliament and the European Central Bank, the Council adopted today, 8 July 2025, the final three legal acts required to enable Bulgaria to introduce the euro on 1 January 2026. The three legal acts are: 

• the Council Decision on the adoption of the euro by Bulgaria on 1 January 2026; 
• the Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) 974/98 on the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria; 
• the Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) 2866/98 on the conversion rate to the euro for Bulgaria.  

What are the next steps in Bulgaria’s euro changeover? 

Bulgaria will enter a transition period following today’s Council decision. During this period, Bulgaria will continue the practical preparations to ensure that the public and the private sectors are ready for the changeover. The preparations include various aspects such as: 

• Dual display of prices in both lev and euro starting one month after the Council decision and ending 12 months after the introduction of the euro; 
• Organising the frontloading and sub-frontloading of banknotes and coins; 
• Adapting ATMs; 
• Monitoring prices; 
• Supervising traders and service providers.  

The Commission’s services remain in close contact with Bulgarian authorities and are ready to provide the necessary technical assistance.  The Bulgarian government recognises the importance of a transparent and informative communication campaign and has already launched a website where citizens and businesses can stay informed about the changeover. 

As is standard practice when Member States join the euro area, the Commission organised a mission to Bulgaria in May 2025 to meet representatives from the public and private sectors. A second round of meetings will likely be organised in the autumn to assess progress in the final stages of preparation for the changeover.  

How will today’s Council Decision and the euro changeover affect the Bulgarian economy? 

Adopting the euro will bring real, everyday benefits to people and businesses in Bulgaria. For citizens, it means no more currency exchange fees when traveling or shopping online in other euro area countries. This makes cross-border payments easier and cheaper and encourages more trade and tourism.  

The change will also bring more price transparency, making it easier to compare prices across borders. This boosts competition and helps consumers find better deals on goods and services.  

Companies will benefit from being part of a much larger single currency market, making it easier to export and attract customers across the euro area.  

Bulgarian firms will gain better access to finance. The euro is one of the most widely used currencies in the world, so joining the euro area opens the door to foreign investment, supporting job creation and rising incomes.  

Finally, Bulgarian banks will become part of the euro area’s financial safety net. This includes access to European Central Bank (ECB) support in the event of a crises, such as during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Overall, the euro changeover strengthens Bulgaria’s economic stability and long-term growth prospects.  

Does this affect Bulgaria’s control over its fiscal/economic policy? 

Bulgaria’s economy and monetary policy are already closely linked to the euro area. This connection has been in place since the introduction of the currency board in 1997 and has been further strengthened by Bulgaria’s participation in the Exchange Rate Mechanism II and the Banking Union since 2020.  

Bulgaria, like all EU Member States, already takes part in the coordination of economic and fiscal policies at the EU level. However, by adopting the euro, it will gain a seat at the table of the ECB decision-making bodies and will help determine the monetary policy for all euro area Member States.  

Furthermore, Bulgaria will have a stronger voice by participating in the Eurogroup, an informal body gathering ministers from euro area countries to discuss euro-related matters.  

Will the euro changeover lead to higher inflation or price increases in Bulgaria? 

On average, past euro changeovers have led to a very small and one-off increase in prices, ranging from 0.1% to 0.3%. Over time, however, the euro has a price stabilising effect. This is because the euro improves price transparency, increases competition, and reduces transaction costs for imports and exports, which represent a substantial part of GDP.  

To address the concerns of Bulgarian citizens, the Bulgarian authorities are taking active measures as presented in the National Euro Changeover Plan. A smooth and effective changeover process will limit the risk of a small increase in prices, through close involvement of businesses, price monitoring to ensure correct conversion of prices, displaying prices in both currencies, guidelines for rounding prices, and communication campaigns and consumer education.  

The Commission, the ECB, and national public and private stakeholders have been working hard on practical preparations for euro adoption. This work will intensify following the decision taken today by the Council, ensuring a smooth changeover to the euro in Bulgaria.  

Are all non-euro area Member States obliged to adopt the euro?

All Member States, except Denmark, which negotiated an opt-out arrangement in the Maastricht Treaty, are legally committed to join the euro area.  

However, it is up to individual countries to determine their path toward adopting the euro, and no specific timetable is prescribed. 

The Member States that joined the EU in 2004, 2007, and 2013, after the euro was launched, did not meet the conditions for entry into the euro area at the time of their accession. Therefore, their Treaties of Accession give them time to make the necessary adjustments.  

The European Union’s finance ministers approved on July 8 the final steps that will see Bulgaria use the euro as its currency from January 1 2026.

This completes the process for Bulgaria to become the 21st member of the euro area, a statement by the Council of the EU said.

The EU finance ministers, meeting as Ecofin, adopted the final three legal acts required for Bulgaria to introduce the euro as of the beginning of next year.

One of the three legal acts sets the conversion rate between the euro and the Bulgarian lev at 1.95583 lev per 1 euro. This corresponds to the current central rate of the lev in the exchange rate mechanism (ERM II).

Stephanie Lose, Minister of Economic Affairs of Denmark – the country currently holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU – said: “From today, Bulgaria takes its place as the 21st member of the euro zone.

“This marks the culmination of a thorough process towards Bulgaria’s accession, comprising rigorous analysis and intensive preparation. I warmly congratulate Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people on this tremendous achievement,” Lose said.

Earlier on July 8, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of Bulgaria adopting the euro as of the beginning of January 2026.

Bulgaria was accepted, along with Croatia, into the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2), the euro zone’s “waiting room” on July 10 2020.

In February 2025, Bulgaria formally asked the European Commission (EC) and European Central Bank (ECB) to assess the country’s readiness to join the euro area.

On June 4, in the extraordinary convergence reports, the EC and ECB confirmed that Bulgaria meets all the criteria for joining the euro zone from January 1 next year.

The Eurogroup endorsed on June 19 a recommendation from euro area member states to the Council of the European Union, that Bulgaria becomes a member of the euro zone as of January 1.

Ecofin agreed on June 20 to the next step towards Bulgaria adopting the euro as of the beginning of next year.

The European Parliament’s committee on economic and monetary affairs approved, by a large majority, on June 24 a draft report recommending approval of Bulgaria joining the euro zone.

On June 26, the European Council – the heads of governments of EU countries – endorsed the European Commission’s proposal that Bulgaria adopts the euro on January 1 2026.

(Photo: Sar Maroof/ Wikimedia Commons)

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Bulgaria’s national meteorological bureau has issued the Code Orange warning of dangerous weather for several districts for July 9 because of forecast high temperatures, and the lesser Code Yellow warning of potentially dangerous weather for several others because of forecast strong winds.

The districts subject to the Code Orange warning are Silistra, Bourgas, Yambol, Sliven, Stara Zagora, Haskovo and Kurdzhali.

The districts subject to the Code Yellow warning are Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Pleven, Veliko Turnovo, Turgovishte, Rousse, Plovdiv and Sofia district (as opposed to the district of Sofia city).

The remaining districts are classified Code Green, meaning that no weather warning is in place.

The meteorological bureau said on July 8 that over the next 24 hours, a cold atmospheric front will pass through the country.

Over the northwestern regions at night, and over the rest of northern Bulgaria and in places over southern Bulgaria, clouds will gather and there will be short-term rain and thunderstorms. Hail is possible.

Over the southeastern regions it will be mostly sunny.

Maximum temperatures on July 9 will be 26°-27° Celsius in the western regions and 38°-39° in the south-eastern ones.

In the mountainous areas of western Bulgaria, there will be short-term rain and thunderstorms. They will be significant in quantity in the Stara Planina Mountains and hail is possible. Maximum temperature at an altitude of 1200 metres will be about 29°, at 2000 metres about 17°.

Along the Black Sea coast it will be mostly sunny, with short-term intervals of clouds. A weak to moderate southeast wind will blow, which will be from the northwest in the evening and for a short time will be strong. The maximum temperatures will be between 28° and 32°. The temperature of the sea water is 25°-26°.

The European Parliament voted by a large majority on July 8 to adopt a report recommending that Bulgaria adopt the euro as its currency with effect from January 1 2026.

In the 702-seat European Parliament, the vote was 531 in favour, 69 against, with 79 abstentions.

MEPs overwhelmingly rejected a last-minute attempt tabled by Rada Laykova, of Bulgaria’s pro-Russian minority party Vuzrazhdane, a member of the EP’s Europe of Sovereign Nations group, to have the vote adjourned.

Addressing the European Parliament moments before the vote, rapporteur Eva Maydell of Bulgaria’s GERB-UDF, a member of the centre-right European People’s Party, said: “The report we are considering today is one of three on Bulgaria’s future in the euro zone.

“The previous convergence reports of the European Central Bank and the European Commission clearly show that Bulgaria is ready to join the eurozone from January 1 2026 and meets all the criteria,” Maydell said.

“Let us not forget that Bulgaria has been on this path for more than two decades. From the currency board in 1997 to full participation in ERM II,” she said.

The facts are clear, Maydell said.

She said that Bulgaria’s national legislation is fully consistent with the requirements of the European Union.

“Price stability has been achieved with inflation below the reference value. Public finances are stable, the deficit and debt requirements have been met.”

The currency has maintained a stable exchange rate within ERM II for more than the required two years, she said, referring to Bulgaria’s current currency the lev.

“And while this report may seem quite technical to every Bulgarian of the last three generations, it is something much more,” Maydell said.

“From those who were in the square in 1989 and peacefully overthrew the communist regime, through those who starved the currency crisis in 1997 to those young people who today call Europe their home.

“Adopting the euro is the achievement of the European dream for them in all its fullness. And we owe it to all of them to approve this report. Bulgaria is ready, Europe is ready, let’s take this step together,” Maydell said.

The next and final step comes later on July 8 when the EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Ecofin – made up of the finance ministers of all member states – is to approve three legal acts that will enable Bulgaria to adopt the euro as of the beginning of next year.

The three legal acts are to add Bulgaria to the list of euro zone countries, approving Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro, and setting the lev-euro exchange rate. That third decision is the only one of the three that requires unanimity. However, it is widely expected that the current rate will be left unchanged.

Bulgaria was accepted, along with Croatia, into the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2), the euro zone’s “waiting room” on July 10 2020.

In February 2025, Bulgaria formally asked the European Commission (EC) and European Central Bank (ECB) to assess the country’s readiness to join the euro area.

On June 4, in the extraordinary convergence reports, the EC and ECB confirmed that Bulgaria meets all the criteria for joining the eurozone from January 1 next year.

The Eurogroup endorsed on June 19 a recommendation from euro area member states to the Council of the European Union, that Bulgaria becomes a member of the euro zone as of January 1.

Ecofin agreed on June 20 to the next step towards Bulgaria adopting the euro as of the beginning of next year.

The European Parliament’s committee on economic and monetary affairs approved, by a large majority, on June 24 a draft report recommending approval of Bulgaria joining the euro zone.

On June 26, the European Council – the heads of governments of EU countries – endorsed the European Commission’s proposal that Bulgaria adopts the euro on January 1 2026.

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The Eurogroup, the informal gathering of euro zone finance ministers, has at a meeting on July 7 supported maintaining unchanged the lev – euro exchange rate, a move made on the eve of a final decision by EU finance ministers to approve Bulgaria adopting the euro as its currency as of January 1 2026.

Bulgaria has since 1997 used a currency board arrangement that initially pegged the lev to the Deutsche mark at a fixed exchange rate, and later pegged it to the euro.

On July 8, the European Parliament is due to vote at its plenary session in Strasbourg on Bulgaria’s accession to the euro zone as of January 1 2026.

The process of approval of Bulgaria adopting the euro will conclude with the adoption by Ecofin, the committee of EU finance ministers, of three legal acts that are necessary to enable Bulgaria to introduce the euro at the beginning of next year.

Approval by Ecofin is to be followed by a ceremony in Brussels on the afternoon of July 8 to officially announce Bulgaria becoming the 21st member of the Eurogroup.

Bulgaria was accepted, along with Croatia, into the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM2), the euro zone’s “waiting room” on July 10 2020.

In February 2025, Bulgaria formally asked the European Commission (EC) and European Central Bank (ECB) to assess the country’s readiness to join the euro area.

On June 4, in the extraordinary convergence reports, the EC and ECB confirmed that Bulgaria meets all the criteria for joining the eurozone from January 1 next year.

The Eurogroup endorsed on June 19 a recommendation from euro area member states to the Council of the European Union, that Bulgaria becomes a member of the euro zone as of January 1.

Ecofin agreed on June 20 to the next step towards Bulgaria adopting the euro as of the beginning of next year.

The European Parliament’s committee on economic and monetary affairs approved, by a large majority, on June 24 a draft report recommending approval of Bulgaria joining the euro zone.

On June 26, the European Council – the heads of governments of EU countries – endorsed the European Commission’s proposal that Bulgaria adopts the euro on January 1 2026.

For a third consecutive day, Bulgaria’s national meteorological bureau has issued the Code Orange warning of dangerous weather for most districts in the country, because of forecast high temperatures on July 8.

The warning applies to 22 districts, while the remainder – Sofia city, Sofia district, Pernik, Smolyan, Dobrich and Varna are subject to the lesser Code Yellow warning of potentially dangerous weather, also because of forecast high temperatures.

July 8 is forecast to see temperatures of 41° Celsius in Sandanski and Rousse.

A maximum temperature of 41° is forecast for Plovdiv, Yambol, Veliko Turnovo, Pleven and Blagoevgrad.

On Tuesday, Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia is set for a maximum high of 37°.

At the seaside, the city of Varna will have a maximum high of 31° and Bourgas 32° on Tuesday.

The meteorological bureau said that on July 8, it will remain sunny and hot. Cumulus clouds will develop in the afternoon, but the probability of rain is small. There will be a light to moderate wind from the southeast in the eastern half of the country.

Temperatures will rise further and the maximum will be between 37° and 42°.

A wind from the north-west will bring cooler air on Wednesday.

Under the influence of a passing cold atmospheric front, powerful cumulus-rain clouds will develop over western and central Bulgaria and in many places there will be short-term rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, and there will also be hail.

In the evening, there will be short-term rain and thunderstorms in places in Eastern Bulgaria. Maximum temperatures vary widely, from 27°-28° in the north-western regions to 38°-40° in the eastern ones.

(Photo: flee circus/ freeimages.com)

The Bulgarian Navy’s exercise Breeze 2025 is being held from July 7 to 20, the Ministry of Defence said.

The exercise is being held in Bulgaria’s territorial waters, the adjacent zone and the exclusive economic zone, as well as in areas that are announced in timeously, the ministry said.

This year’s exercise is attended by warships, aircraft, unmanned underwater vehicles, diving groups and staff officers from the navies of Bulgaria, Albania, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, the United States, Türkiye, France, the Nato Naval Command, the Defence Headquarters, the Joint Forces Command, the Land Forces, the Air Force, the GS Rakovski Military Academy, NY Vaptsarov Naval Academy and representatives of state departments, agencies and non-governmental organisations.

The ministry said that the main goal of the Breeze 2025 exercise is to increase interoperability and interaction between the participating countries, by working out joint tasks and conducting a wide range of combat operations at sea in a crisis response operation, as well as dealing with the consequences of major accidents and incidents.

This is the 29^th time the Breeze exercise is being held.

It continues the tradition of the previous exercises: to work out interdepartmental cooperation and interaction with non-governmental organisations and private companies in a multinational environment.

Structures from four ministries, 28 state organizations, governmental and non-governmental organisations, volunteer associations and private companies will participate in the exercise.

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), which monitors the implementation of legislation related to reducing the risk of maritime accidents, pollution of the sea by ships and loss of life at sea, will also participate in the exercise.

The planning of the exercise was carried out under the leadership of the Commander of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov.

(Archive photo: Ministry of Defence)

Twenty-two districts in Bulgaria are subject to the Code Orange warning of hazardous weather for July 7 because of soaring temperatures, according to the national meteorological bureau.

The remaining six – Sofia city, Sofia district, Smolyan, Dobrich, Varna and Bourgas – as subject to the lesser Code Yellow warning, also because of forecast high temperatues.

July 7 is forecast to see temperatures of 41° Celsius in Sandanski, Vidin and Rousse.

A maximum temperature of 40° is forecast for Plovdiv, Blagoevgrad, Yambol, Veliko Turnovo, Pleven and Montana.

On Monday, Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia is set for a maximum high of 37°.

At the seaside, the city of Varna will have a maximum high of 30° and Bourgas 31° on Monday.

The meteorological bureau said that on July 8, it would be sunny for most of the day, with clouds in some places – mainly in the mountainous regions of western and central Bulgaria and the northern central parts of the country – in the afternoon, with short intervals of rainfall and thunder.

Across the country, maximum temperatures will be between 36° and 41°.

In the mountains before noon, it will be sunny, though in some places in the massifs of western and central Bulgaria, there will be rain showers and thunder in the afternoon.

The maximum temperature at an altitude of 1200 metres will be about 31°, at 2000 meters, about 23°.

Along the Black Sea coast, it will be sunny. A light to moderate wind will blow from the southeast. Maximum temperatures will be between 28° and 31°. Sea water temperature is 24°-26°, the bureau said.

(Photo: Clive Leviev-Sawyer)

Bulgaria’s national meteorological bureau has issued the Code Orange warning of hazardous weather for several districts for July 6 because of forecast high temperatures.

The districts subject to the Code Orange warning are Vidin, Montana, Vratsa, Pleven, Lovech, Gabrovo, Veliko Turnovo, Turgovishte, Rousse, Silistra, Sliven, Yambol, Haskovo, Stara Zagora, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Blagoevgrad and Kyustendil.

The remaining districts are subject to the Code Yellow warning of potentially hazardous weather, also because of forecast high temperatures.

July 6 is forecast to see temperatures of 40° Celsius in Vidin, Montana, Rousse and Sandanski.

A maximum temperature of 39° is forecast for Plovdiv, Veliko Turnovo, Pleven and Blagoevgrad, and 37° in Shoumen, Silistra and Kurdzhali.

On Sunday, Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia is set for a maximum high of 36°.

At the seaside, the cities of Varna and Bourgas will have maximum temperatures of 29° on Sunday.

The meteorological bureau said that on Sunday and Monday it will remain sunny and hot, with cloudiness on Monday afternoon but scant chance of rain. There will be a light wind from the southeast.

Temperatures will rise further and on Monday the maximum will be between 36° and 41°, while on Tuesday the maximum will be between 37° and 42°.

On Wednesday, with the orientation and strengthening of the wind from the northwest, cool air will come in. It will become cloudy and in many places there will be short intervals of rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, with hail possible. In western and central Bulgaria, temperatures will drop significantly, though in the eastern regions they will still be quite high at 38°-40°.

On Thursday, temperatures in eastern Bulgaria will also drop. In many places in central and eastern Bulgaria there will be short-term, temporarily intense rain with thunderstorms.

On Friday the wind will weaken. Sunny weather will prevail and there is little chance of rain.

Bulgaria’s Road Infrastructure Agency said that between 1pm and 9pm daily from July 5 to July 8, the movement of lorries of more than 20 tonnes will be restricted in seven districts because of forecast high temperatures of more than 35°.

The seven districts are Vidin, Pleven, Veliko Turnovo, Stara Zagora, Rousse, Razgrad and Shoumen.

Vehicles will wait outside the roadway in specified places, without interfering with other road users. The restriction does not apply to trucks transporting perishable foods, temperature-controlled cargo, live animals and dangerous goods.

(Photo: dcubillas/ freeimages.com)

There will be a national rail transport strike in Italy from 9pm on July 7 to 6pm on July 8, and disruptions in the normal schedule of railway transport throughout the country are possible, including rail connections with airports, Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said.

In order to minimise inconvenience to passengers, on July 8, in the interval from 6am to 9am minimal service will be provided on regional railway lines, the ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry recommended that Bulgarian citizens residing short-term or long-term in Italy during the specified period, monitor the current information regarding possible changes in railway transport schedules and routes.

(Photo: Tim Adams, via Wikimedia Commons)

House prices in Bulgaria rose by 125 per cent between the first quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2025, European Union statistics agency Eurostat said on July 4.

However, this was not the largest increase in the bloc over that period.

Over the same period, house prices more than tripled in Hungary (+260 per cent) and Estonia (+238 per cent), Eurostat said.

The statistics agency said that between 2010 and the first quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU increased by 57.9 per cent.

It said that house prices in the EU showed a staggering increase between the first quarter of 2015 and the third quarter of 2022, followed by a small drop and stabilization, before increasing again since 2024. 

House prices have doubled or more than doubled in nine EU countries: Lithuania (+194 per cent), Latvia (+154 per cent), Czechia (+147 per cent), Portugal (+130 per cent), Bulgaria (+125 per cent), Austria (+113 per cent), Luxembourg and Poland (both +102 per cent) and Slovakia (+100 per cent).

Italy was the only country where house prices decreased (-4 per cent), Eurostat said.

In the first quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU rose by 5.7 per cent, while rents increased by 3.2 per cent compared with the same quarter of 2024.

Compared with the fourth quarter of 2024, house prices increased by 1.4 per cent and rents by 0.9 per cent, Eurostat said.

(Main photo: maistora/flickr.com)

Bulgaria’s National Assembly voted on July 4 to reject the third motion of no confidence in the Rossen Zhelyazkov government that took office in January.

In the 240-seat Parliament, the vote was 130 against and 54 in favour.

The motion was tabled by pro-Russian party Vuzrazhdane and populist-nationalist parties Mech and Veliche, on the grounds of what they called the failure the government’s fiscal policy.

The votes against came from Boiko Borissov’s centre-right GERB-UDF coalition, the largest group in Parliament and holder of the mandate to govern; Magnitsky-Act sanctioned Delyan Peevski’s Movement for Rights and Freedoms group; the Bulgarian Socialist Party – United Left coalition and populist ITN, both part of the ruling majority; and the four non-aligned MPs.

The votes in favour came from Vuzrazhdane, Mech and Veliche.

The opposition We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria coalition and the Ahmed Dogan loyalists of the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms did not participate in the vote.

The debate preceding the vote, held on July 3 for about three and a half hours, saw the motion’s backers repeating various allegations about Bulgaria’s expected forthcoming accession to the euro zone, in spite of the fact of these claims having repeatedly been discredited.

Parliament’s largest opposition group, the We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria coalition, rejected participation in the motion of no confidence, with Democratic Bulgaria’s Atanas Atanassov denouncing it as Vuzrazhdane trying to play the role of opposition and being “a Trojan horse for Russia in Bulgaria”.

Boiko Borissov, leader of GERB-UDF, the majority partner in the ruling coalition, on July 3 described the succession of motions of no confidence as a waste of Parliament’s time.

The first motion of no confidence in the Zhelyazkov was tabled by Vuzrazhdane in April, on the grounds of foreign policy, and the second was tabled later in April by Mech, on the grounds of corruption.

On July 3, Velichie said that if the July 4 vote was defeated, it would table a motion of no confidence next week on the grounds of what it called “Bulgaria’s environmental crisis”.

WCC-DB has said that it would table a motion of no confidence after final confirmation that Bulgaria is to join the euro zone, a process that the coalition says it does not want to sabotage.

WCC-DB’s Ivailo Mirchev said on July 3 that the tabling would take place no earlier than September. He said that there was already a “bouquet” of grounds for a motion of no confidence.

WCC leader Assen Vassilev told reporters on July 4 that after confirmation that Bulgaria is to join the euro zone, the party would decide on a case-by-case basis whether to support motions of no confidence.

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A total of 19 662 first residence permits with a validity of at least three months were issued to third-country – meaning, non-EU – nationals in 2024, 1.5 per cent more than in 2023, the National Statistical Institute said on July 4.

The largest number were issued for reasons related to remunerated activities – 8653, followed by the permissions for reasons related to family formation and reunification, 5356.

Compared with 2023, the number of permits for work reasons increased by 33.8 per cent, while the number of permits for family reasons decreased by 13.1 per cent, the NSI said.

In 2024, 7064 Single Permit for work and residence were issued in Bulgaria. This was an increase of 64.3 per cent compared with 2023.

Separately, the NSI said that as of December 31 2024, there were 72 275 holders of long-term or permanent residence permits in Bulgaria.

(Photo: Interior Ministry)

Bulgaria’s directorate for combating organised crime and the State Agency for National Security carried out a search-and-seizure operation on July 2 in connection with a probe into a group that was selling false documents to support applications for citizenship on the grounds of Bulgarian origin, according to a statement by the Prosecutor’s Office.

The raid was conducted on the orders of the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office after an alert of the imminent destruction of evidence related to the scheme, according to the statement.

In March 2025, Minister of Justice Georg Georgiev requested an investigation into the ministry’s Directorate for Bulgarian Citizenship.

The July 2 statement said that the ministry provided the State Agency for National Security with all relevant information. The data was in connection with an organised scheme for the illegal acquisition of Bulgarian citizenship by foreigners using false documents certifying origin.

On July 1, the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office initiated pre-trial proceedings in connection with an organised crime group, the statement said.

The goal of the July 2 raid was to find, seize and preserve objects, papers, computer information data and other data that may be relevant to the case.

Witness interrogations are also being conducted, the Prosecutor’s Office said.

The investigation into the case is continuing, it said.

At a regular meeting on July 2, Bulgaria’s government adopted an update of the national plan for the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria, the government information service said.

The aim of the changes is to adapt the texts to the newly emerged circumstances and the progress in the technical preparations for the introduction of the euro, the statement said.

It said that the changes are related to the change in the indicative date for membership in the eurozone – January 1 2026, as well as the adjustment of the necessary time periods in relation to it.

The change is in accordance with the update adopted on 18 June 2025 on the establishment of a Coordination Council for Bulgaria’s preparation for membership of the euro zone and with the extraordinary convergence reports, in which the European Commission and the European Central Bank confirmed that Bulgaria meets all the criteria for joining the eurozone from January 1 next year.

The Eurogroup – an informal body made up of the finance ministers from the euro area member states – endorsed on June 19 a recommendation from euro area member states to the Council of the European Union, that Bulgaria becomes a member of the euro zone as of January 1.

The European Union’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Ecofin – made up of finance and economy ministers of all EU member states – agreed on June 20 to the next step towards Bulgaria adopting the euro as of the beginning of next year.

The European Parliament’s committee on economic and monetary affairs approved, by a large majority, on June 24 a draft report recommending approval of Bulgaria joining the euro zone.

The European Council has endorsed the European Commission’s proposal that Bulgaria adopts the euro on January 1 2026, according to the official conclusions of the June 26 meeting of EU leaders.

The next steps come on July 8, when the European Parliament will vote on the proposal, which will be followed the same day by a final decision by Ecofin on admitting Bulgaria to the euro zone at the beginning of 2026.

In the National Assembly on July 2, pro-Russian minority parties continued their campaign against euro adoption, with a draft resolution calling for a national referendum with the question “Do you agree that the Bulgarian lev should be the only official currency in Bulgaria until 2043?”.

While hours were spent on the debate, the day’s sitting came to an end without a vote. The National Assembly has twice before rejected holding a referendum on euro adoption.

Parliament rejected the same proposal by pro-Kremlin party Vuzrazhdane in a vote in July 2023, and again in September 2024.

In the July 2 debate, Speaker Natalia Kiselova (Bulgarian Socialist Party – United Left), a constitutional expert, addressed herself to Vuzrazhdane: “A national referendum is held on issues within the competence of the National Assembly. Parliament cannot rule on issues outside it. Stop lying to the people”.

Kiselova said that in 2009 the Direct Participation of Citizens in State Power and State Self-Government Act was adopted, which stipulates that there cannot be a referendum on issues within the competence of the Grand National Assembly, on those that relate to international treaties that have already been ratified.

“The Bulgarian state cannot afford to look ridiculous in the eyes of its partners. The Bulgarian people, through the representatives they chose to represent them, adopted this law in 2009,” she said.

Kiselova said that back in 2011, Bulgaria should have become part of the euro zone, but this did not happen for a number of reasons.

Regarding the referendums held in some countries on the adoption of the euro, Kiselova said that Sweden and Denmark had the right to decide whether to adopt the euro and when, because this was not part of their negotiating framework for EU accession, while for Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia it is part of the accession treaty.

“To claim that we do not want to have referendums is not correct. Issues outside the competence of the National Assembly simply cannot be put to a referendum by the people. The issue is not political, but legal,” she said.

In spite of the law pointed out by Kiselova and the Constitutional Court having ruled that a referendum on the euro would be unconstitutional, Vuzrazhdane continues to campaign for such as a referendum, as does head of state President Roumen Radev.

(Photo: government.bg)

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The European Commission (EC) said on July 2 that it has given a positive assessment of Bulgaria’s modified recovery and resilience plan.

It now includes a dedicated REPowerEU chapter, which covers new measures to promote energy poverty, support electricity market liberalisation, promote renewable energy deployment, storage and use.

Bulgaria has adjusted its plan to reflect new realities, including higher costs linked to inflation, supply chain disruptions and changing market demands, the EC said. The revised plan is worth 6.17 billion euro in grants and covers 50 reforms and 51 investments.

Bulgaria’s revised plan has a strong emphasis on the green transition, with 49.9 per cent of the total allocation dedicated to climate-related measures, the EC said.

The statement said that the digital transition is also a key priority, with 20.6 per cent of the plan’s funding earmarked for initiatives such as expanding high-speed internet coverage, enhancing digital skills, and digitalising public administration and businesses.

The plan also maintains its important social dimension. It includes measures aimed at modernising education, as well as improving, and enhancing access to long-term healthcare.

The Council of the EU has now four weeks to review and endorse the EC’s assessment.

Bulgaria has already received 1.37 billion euro as part of its first payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU.

The Commission will continue to pay out funds based on the country’s progress in implementing the planned reforms and investments, the statement said.

(Photo: Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry)