Expats

Bulgaria Ex PM, Austrian Lobbyist Implicated in Graft Scheme [Mar 10, 2012] The scandal with Austrian lobbyist Peter Hochegger, who is said to have bribed Austrian politicians with money received from Bulgaria, has stirred controversies in both countries. In 2008, Hochegger's PR agency was hired by the Three-way Coalition government to hold a one-year promotional campaign to boost Bulgaria's image in the EU. The public procurement was worth around EUR 1 M. ... [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria's GERB to Audit Predecessors' Bonuses [Feb 24, 2012] Bulgaria's ruling GERB have asked the National Audit Office, NAO, to submit a report for bonuses obtained by Deputy Ministers during the term of the previous Three-Way Coalition cabinet. The news was reported Friday by the Chairman of the parliamentary group of Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria, GERB, in the heels of a publication in "Trud" (Labor) daily that politicians - current ... [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria MPs to Enjoy Higher Salaries after Stealthy Move [Feb 12, 2012] Bulgarian lawmakers, who are best known for their infamous habit of playing truant, have increased their salaries, rather on the sly. Prime Minister Boyko Borisov froze last year the salaries of top politicians in Bulgaria at their levels from the end of 2009, despite the cabinet's decision to up the minimum monthly wage in Bulgaria in May, 2012 ? from BGN 270 to BGN 290. Borisov backed his belt ... [via YahooNews] More >>

Turkish-Bulgarian Leader: Elections Will Turn Tide in Bulgaria [Oct 23, 2011] Bulgaria is set for a deep change in its political history, stated Movement for Rights and Freedoms party leader Ahmed Dogan after casting his vote in Sofia for Bulgaria's presidential and local elections Sunday. "I voted for a normalization of the political process in Bulgaria and greater responsibility on the part of politicians," said the leader of the party which traditionally has strong ... [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria C-Bank Governor Slams 'Guilty Greeks, Innocent Germans' Propaganda [Sep 16, 2011] Bulgaria's national bank governor has advised against simplifying the crisis that is wreaking havoc in the eurozone, saying it is not just a matter of "guilty Greeks and innocent Germans". "Europe badly needs the spirit of solidarity. Politicians and economists should stop beating around the bush, which is very evident in the countries in the heart of Europe.... [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria's Cabinet Fulfilled 10% of Its Promises over Past Year - NGO [Aug 25, 2011] Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and his cabinet have made a total of 400 promises over the past year and have partially or entirely fulfilled some 10% of them. Some 30% of the promises made are in the process of being fulfilled, while 60% have not been fulfilled, according to Politikat.net, a site dedicated to monitoring the Bulgarian politicians' activity. ... [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria Bids Farewell to Great Son Dimi Panitza [Aug 02, 2011] Friends, relatives, public figures and politicians filled Tuesday the St. Sofia Church to pay last respects and honor the memory of the great Bulgarian John-Dimitry Panitza. Panitza passed away on July 29 in Paris. ... [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria's Foreign Minister: Our Envoys Don't Write in 'WikiLeaks Style' [May 31, 2011] Bulgaria's envoys abroad do not write diplomatic cables the same way US Ambassadors do, according to the country's Foreign Minister, Nikolay Mladenov. The Bulgarian diplomats also do psychological profiles of politicians with whom important meetings are scheduled, but in a "different style", he said. "The gravest issue with what comes out from WikiLeaks is that big conclusions are being made ... [via YahooNews] More >>

WikiLeaks: 'Uncensored' 2005 US Diplomatic Cable on Organized Crime in Bulgaria [Mar 18, 2011] From WikiLeaks WikiLeaks released on Friday, March 18, 2011, what it says to be an "uncensored" version of US diplomatic cable by former US Ambassador James Pardew sent on July 7, 2005, outlining "Who Is Who in Bulgarian Organized Crime" as well as connections between organized crime and politicians. A shortened, or "censored", version of the same document was first released in December 2010 ... [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria to Honor Victims of Communism at Ex Presidents' Initiative [Jan 19, 2011] Bulgaria's Cabinet has declared February 1 as a Day of Recognition and Honoring of the victims of the communist regime in the country (1944-1989). The government press service states that February 1, 1945, was the first day of executions of senior Bulgarian politicians, including the regents, by the so called People's Court formed by the Fatherland Front, an umbrella group of leftist parties ... [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria's Ethnic Turkish Leader under Scrutiny for Corruption [Apr 19, 2010] After 21 years heading Bulgaria's 10 percent ethnic Turkish minority, one of Bulgaria's key politicians, Ahmed Dogan, has come under increasing scrutiny for corruption. [via YahooNews] More >>

Top US Politicians Vow Support for Bulgaria Conservatives [Apr 17, 2010] Bulgarias conservative leader, Yane Yanev (l) met with top US politicians, including former Defense Minister, Donald Rumsfeld. Photo by BGNES [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria Top Judge: No War Between our Institutions (Novinite.com) [Feb 25, 2010] Lazar Gruev, Chair of Bulgaria's Supreme Cassation Court, has added his voice to the battle of words between the judiciary and the country's most senior politicians. [via YahooNews] More >>

Bulgaria May Have to Pick Another Commissioner-Designate (Novinite.com) [Jan 13, 2010] Nikolay Mladenov, Bulgaria's Defense Minister, is one of three Bulgarian politicians, who have been tipped as the potential candidates for the top EU job, insiders say. [via YahooNews] More >>