Bulgaria
EU Council president says leaders “here to take decisions” as he arrives at Brussels summit
EU leaders to discuss support for Ukraine and strengthening of Europe’s defence capabilities in response to the sudden change in the geopolitical situation.
Fears Russia-friendly EU members to undermine ‘five to midnight’ summit
Hungarian PM Viktor Orban indicated ahead of the crucial summit that he might veto additional support for Ukraine.
Emerging Europe’s Ukraine critics unleashed by Trump’s attack on Zelenskiy
Leaders of Bulgaria, Georgia and Hungary back Trump in row with Ukrainian president and slam Europe's handling of the war.
EBRD lowers 2025 forecasts citing subdued global growth and trade fragmentation
Weaker external demand and potential impact of Trump tariffs weigh on Emerging Europe, Central Asia and Semed regions, with growth now projected at 3.2%.
Bulgaria moves towards eurozone entry despite violent far-right protest
PM Rossen Zhelyazkov says Bulgaria has met final criterion for euro adoption and will request extraordinary convergence reports.
Relief in Emerging Europe at AfD’s election defeat, but concern over party's gains
Mainstream politicians across Central and Southeast Europe have expressed relief at the outcome of Germany's general election, which saw the far-right Alternative for Germany make gains but ultimately fall short of securing victory.
Far-right opponents of euro adoption storm EU offices in Bulgaria
Thousands of supporters of pro-Russian Vazrazhdane protest against Bulgaria’s planned introduction of the European single currency.
Bulgaria-founded Chaos strengthens role in AI-powered architectural design with EvolveLAB takeover
Companies join forces to "redefine architectural design through AI, generative workflows and automation".
BALKAN BLOG: Upended world order enables Russia’s return to Southeast Europe
The US’s distancing from its traditional democratic allies and embrace of the far right paves the way for the return of Russian influence to a region from which it has long been in retreat.
Southeast Europe’s far right revel in Vance’s attack on Europe
Right-wing and pro-Russian politicians across Southeast Europe applauded US Vice President JD Vance’s criticism of the European Union at the Munich Security Conference.
Europe's economic woes made worse by looming trade war with US, says Goldman Sachs
Cyclical industries across Europe are in danger from the economic slowdown sweeping Europe, Goldman Sachs warned in a note on February 4. They were already reeling from years of a polycrisis, but now President Trump is threatening a trade war.
“Unchained” Trump is main risk to broadly positive Emerging Europe growth prospects
Steep US tariffs on the EU or a sudden cut in support for Ukraine are the major downside risks for the region, says new wiiw report.
Majority of Bulgarians don’t want to adopt the euro
New poll shows 57% of Bulgarians are opposed to eurozone entry, as the government gives mixed signals on its euro adoption plans.
Seven bid for Lukoil’s Bulgarian refinery, PM Zhelyazkov says
Lukoil has been actively seeking to sell its Bulgarian assets since December 2023, when Sofia banned imports of Russian crude oil.
Lack of megadeals drags down M&A volume in Emerging Europe
The number of deals in Central and Southeast Europe rose in 2024 but aggregate deal value fell by 31%, finds law firm CMS.
Bulgaria’s new government gives up on January 2026 eurozone entry
Opposition politicians have accused the new government of deliberately sabotaging Bulgaria's adoption of the European single currency.
BALKAN BLOG: Polluted Balkan capitals choke on winter smog
Winter has earned the grim moniker of “choking season” across the Balkans as cities in the region grapple with hazardous levels of air pollution.
Bulgaria’s ruling coalition rejects central bank law changes putting eurozone entry at risk
The new coalition has set the country’s accession to the eurozone by January 2026 as its key priority, but achieving this looks increasingly unlikely.
COMMENT: Europe needs to start the fightback against Trump now
The European centre-right is facilitating the populist attack on liberal democracy.
Analysts expect ‘perfect storm’ of political risks in 2025
Global political risk is set to intensify in 2025 with international trade becoming a geopolitical battleground after Trump’s return to office, said Verisk Maplecroft analysts.