Bulgaria
Economic sentiment in CEE picks up in June, but still deeply depressed
The economic sentiment indicators started to pick up again in June across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), but there are big differences between the countries as they start to recover from the coronacrisis at their own speeds
Bulgarian business climate indicator keeps rising in June
Sharp decline during lockdown months of March and April, followed by recovery in May and June.
BALKAN BLOG: Gangster-style photos from Bulgarian PM’s bedroom ratchet up dirty war with anonymous enemy
Borissov’s latest term in office has been plagued by constant scandals, but photos of the PM sleeping next to a Glock 9mm handgun and a drawer full of €500 bills and gold bars indicate he has a bitter enemy close to home.
Illicit cigarette consumption declines in eastern EU states
KPMG report says fewer contraband cigarettes flowing into the EU, but growth in illegal factories within the bloc.
Emerging Europe banks face surge in distressed loans when COVID support measures expire
Vienna Initiative report warns banks heading for a "cliff-edge effect of new distressed borrowers", followed by successive waves of new NPLs.
Central and Southeast Europeans have highest tolerance for corruption among EU members
People from the new EU member states that joined from 2004 onwards are more likely to think it is acceptable to do a favour, give a gift or give money to get something from a public administration, shows a new survey from Eurobarometer.
Bulgaria extends extraordinary epidemic situation until end-June
The number of new coronavirus cases has started rising sharply, with many of those reported in the last few days concentrated among workers at a toy factory in Dospat, southern Bulgaria.
No room for complacency amid new corona outbreaks in emerging Europe
Surge in new COVID-19 cases in Caucasus, Moldova and Poland, while fresh outbreaks in Balkans show virus not yet under control.
bne's Despair Index paints a mixed picture during the corona storm
We have updated bne IntelliNews Despair Index, which better reflects what damage something like the coronacrisis does to the bottom half of society in the countries of New Europe. While the index has ticked up, the damage is limited so far.
Bulgarian agriculture minister caught on video acknowledging EU funds fraud
Desislava Taneva told industry meeting she’s aware of fraud in distribution of EU funds for farmers, but wants it kept secret so Bulgaria won’t lose out on future funding.