The international credit rating agency Fitch has affirmed Bulgaria's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating (IDR) at 'BBB' with a positive outlook.

Bulgaria's ratings are supported by its strong external and public balance sheets versus 'BBB' peers and a credible policy framework, underpinned by EU membership and a long-standing currency-board. This is balanced by unfavourable demographics, which weigh on potential growth and government finances over the long term, as well as by slightly weaker governance indicators than peers. Political uncertainty remains an important downside risk, given renewed prospects of new elections that could delay absorption of funds linked to the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which was finally approved in April, Fitch writes.