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Bulgaria

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Bulgaria. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Sofia

Head of State

President Rumen Radev

Head of Government

Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev

Dara from Bulgaria holds up the trophy after winning the Eurovision grand final in Vienna. Photo: AP

Music

Bulgaria’s Dara wins Eurovision contest, beating out Israel for top spot

The usually good-natured competition has faced a boycott by five countries over the Gaza conflict.

17 May 2026 - 8:59AM

Ukraine war

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

15 May 2026 - 9:44PMvideocam

European Union

Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory

20 Apr 2026 - 9:25PM

European Union

Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former president set for strong election win: exit polls

In his campaign, Rumen Radev talked about improving relations with Moscow and resuming the free flow of ‌Russian oil and gas into Europe.

20 Apr 2026 - 5:12AM

Progressive Bulgaria coalition’s leader and former president Rumen Radev speaks to the press at his party headquarters after polls closed in Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections in Sofia on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Hungary

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

6 Apr 2026 - 1:46PM

Israel-Gaza war

Hamas says will dissolve its Gaza government when Palestinian body takes over

Militant group agrees to cede power to technocratic committee under Trump-brokered plan, but silence remains over disarmament.

12 Jan 2026 - 11:17AM

European Union

Bulgaria becomes 21st country to adopt euro in historic milestone

The Balkan nation, which joined the EU in 2007, retires the 19th-century lev for the single currency.

1 Jan 2026 - 2:06PM

Revellers celebrate the New Year in front of the Bulgarian National Bank in Sofia as Bulgaria officially adopts the euro. Photo: AFP

My Take

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

14 Dec 2025 - 10:15PM

European Union

Bulgaria’s government falls amid mass anti-corruption protests

Fresh elections loom after government’s resignation, coming just weeks before the country is set to adopt the euro.

12 Dec 2025 - 1:29PM

China-EU relations

Car trade in reverse as Germany’s deficit with China jumps 143%

Carmakers from the EU’s biggest economy suffer decline in Chinese market while China’s models boom in Europe.

25 Sep 2025 - 10:59AMvideocam

China was the largest source of foreign exhibitors at this month’s IAA Mobility trade fair in Munich, with 116 companies including EV makers BYD, Xpeng and Leapmotor, and battery giant CATL. Photo: Xinhua

China-EU relations

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

17 Sep 2025 - 5:01PMvideocam

Some of China’s manufacturing industries, including the new-energy sector, have been plagued by low-price competition, or involution. Photo: Xinhua

China's military weapons

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

4 Sep 2025 - 10:45PMvideocam

European Union

EU chief’s plane hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming over Bulgaria

The GPS jamming forced pilots to land using paper maps, with Brussels attributing the disruption to ‘blatant interference’ from Moscow.

1 Sep 2025 - 9:38PM

Defence

How Turkey re-emerged as the West’s ‘indispensable’ defence partner

Europe and the US are recalibrating their security priorities, with renewed respect for Turkey’s strategic importance and defence industry.

29 Jul 2025 - 6:00PM

Turkish soldiers march in a military parade in Istanbul last August. Photo: AFP

Crime

US professor’s ex-wife charged in connection with his murder in Greece

Four men, including the ex-wife’s boyfriend, are also accused of being involved in the fatal shooting of Przemyslaw Jeziorski.

18 Jul 2025 - 2:49AM

Professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski speaks to a student in 2023.
Photo: UC Berkeley via TNS

Ukraine war

Russia alleges back-stabbing as Serbia’s arms reach Ukraine

Serbia’s position of neutrality questioned as Russia alleges secret arms shipments for Ukraine sent through intermediaries.

30 May 2025 - 1:51PM

China-EU relations

European Parliament names 5 lawmakers targeted in Huawei bribery scandal

Authorities ask lawmaking body to waive the accused’s immunity so that they can be investigated under the two-month probe.

22 May 2025 - 6:50PM

Espionage

Bulgarians in Russian spy ring jailed in the UK

UK-based spy ring posed risk to national security, judge says in handing down sentences.

13 May 2025 - 2:31PM

Orlin Roussev, 47, headed the operation. Photo: Metropolitan Police via AP

Britain

‘Slapping therapy’ guru Hongchi Xiao jailed after death of diabetic UK woman

The healer promoted paida lajin therapy, getting patients to slap themselves repeatedly to release ‘poisonous waste’ from the body.

7 Dec 2024 - 1:14AM

Tourism

Editorial | China benefits on all fronts as visitors soar

Tourism, business and mutual understanding are among the winners as travellers from more countries receive visa-free access.

6 Dec 2024 - 12:01AM

Tourists pose for selfies in front of the Peace Hotel in Shanghai. The number of foreign visitors flocking to China is starting to resemble pre-pandemic levels. Photo: Xinhua

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Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s Dara wins Eurovision contest, beating out Israel for top spot

The usually good-natured competition has faced a boycott by five countries over the Gaza conflict.

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

Bulgaria’s pro-Kremlin ex-president wins election, Russia and EU welcome victory

Bulgaria’s pro-Russian former president set for strong election win: exit polls

In his campaign, Rumen Radev talked about improving relations with Moscow and resuming the free flow of ‌Russian oil and gas into Europe.

Orban appears to blame Ukraine after explosives found on gas pipeline to Hungary

Discovery on Serbian border comes as the Hungarian leader faces a tight election and ‘false flag’ accusations from opposition.

Hamas says will dissolve its Gaza government when Palestinian body takes over

Militant group agrees to cede power to technocratic committee under Trump-brokered plan, but silence remains over disarmament.

Bulgaria becomes 21st country to adopt euro in historic milestone

The Balkan nation, which joined the EU in 2007, retires the 19th-century lev for the single currency.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel

From Ukraine to the Caribbean and Middle East, we are witnessing the application of the law of the jungle by the West and its ally.

Bulgaria’s government falls amid mass anti-corruption protests

Fresh elections loom after government’s resignation, coming just weeks before the country is set to adopt the euro.

Car trade in reverse as Germany’s deficit with China jumps 143%

Carmakers from the EU’s biggest economy suffer decline in Chinese market while China’s models boom in Europe.

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

EU chief’s plane hit by suspected Russian GPS jamming over Bulgaria

The GPS jamming forced pilots to land using paper maps, with Brussels attributing the disruption to ‘blatant interference’ from Moscow.

How Turkey re-emerged as the West’s ‘indispensable’ defence partner

Europe and the US are recalibrating their security priorities, with renewed respect for Turkey’s strategic importance and defence industry.

US professor’s ex-wife charged in connection with his murder in Greece

Four men, including the ex-wife’s boyfriend, are also accused of being involved in the fatal shooting of Przemyslaw Jeziorski.

Russia alleges back-stabbing as Serbia’s arms reach Ukraine

Serbia’s position of neutrality questioned as Russia alleges secret arms shipments for Ukraine sent through intermediaries.

European Parliament names 5 lawmakers targeted in Huawei bribery scandal

Authorities ask lawmaking body to waive the accused’s immunity so that they can be investigated under the two-month probe.

Bulgarians in Russian spy ring jailed in the UK

UK-based spy ring posed risk to national security, judge says in handing down sentences.

‘Slapping therapy’ guru Hongchi Xiao jailed after death of diabetic UK woman

The healer promoted paida lajin therapy, getting patients to slap themselves repeatedly to release ‘poisonous waste’ from the body.

Editorial | China benefits on all fronts as visitors soar

Tourism, business and mutual understanding are among the winners as travellers from more countries receive visa-free access.

My Take | The emerging axis of lawlessness – the European Union, United States and Israel