#bulgaria

#bulgaria

The demonstration outside the parliament building in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, on Monday afternoon was so big that it was hard to squeeze through the crowd. Although most people on the streets in Sofia were young, people of all ages were in attendance: from small children perched on their parents' shoulders to pensioners. "I never thought so many people would come out," one police officer was overheard saying to another as they stood on a small street packed with protesters near the main square.

Protesters argue the draft budget would increase taxes and inflation with little payoff, while entrenching corruption. Bulgaria's government has announced plans to drop a controversial budget proposal that triggered nationwide protests, the latest bout of unrest to hit the country as it moves towards adopting the euro. The government's information service reported on Tuesday that it had asked parliament to withdraw the 2026 budget which had provoked public anger over planned tax increases and higher social security contributions.

Match organisers in Bulgaria were left red-faced after playing God Save the King for Ireland's U-19s earlier today, before they took on Sweden in a Women's European qualifier.

Bulgaria is preparing to seize control of Lukoil's Burgas oil refinery and sell it to a new owner after the Russian oil company came under US sanctions, according to Bulgarian media reports. Burgas is Bulgaria's only oil refinery and as part of Lukoil is at risk of having to shut down because of the sanctions. The US joined Britain last month in imposing sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, over Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.

BRUSSELS (AP) - A plane carrying European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was hit by GPS jamming over Bulgaria in a suspected Russian operation, a spokesperson said Monday. The plane landed safely in Plovdiv airport and von der Leyen will continue her planned tour of the European Union's nations bordering Russia and Belarus, said the commission's spokesperson Arianna Podestà. "We can indeed confirm that there was GPS jamming," said Podestà.

Bulgaria's unique blend of a flat 10% tax rate, a strong technical workforce, and women representation in tech has positioned it as an emerging tech hub in Europe.

Easter, the most significant festivity in the Orthodox calendar, sees the Bachkovo Monastery preparing 5,050 dyed red eggs, a tradition reflecting deep cultural beliefs.