The Bulgarian National Assembly has held a closed sitting with outgoing Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and the heads of the specialized security services in connection with the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats from Bulgaria. Petkov reported to MPs that the measure was the result of a long process that started in March, as the services participated in it. "The idea that this is a one-man decision is just another attempt at political maneuvers," the prime minister told reporters.
According to Desislava Atanasova of GERB, Kiril Petkov tried to hide behind "some reports and employees of the Foreign Ministry." She said that it had not become clear how the decision was made.
The reaction of Vazrazhdane party leader Kostadin Kostadinov was similar. According to him, the MPs did not hear anything specific.
"I personally saw a job well done," Hristo Ivanov of the co-ruling coalition Democratic Bulgaria said. "It has become clear that this information was sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and this is the institution that has made this decision according to established diplomatic practices" Ivanov added.
The BSP, who are also part of the ruling coalition, declined to comment on the hearing that took place at their request. Earlier today, however, party leader Korneliya Ninova described the decision for expulsion as one bringing Bulgaria "on the verge of severing diplomatic relations with Russia".
Also tonight, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Bulgaria, Eleonora Mitrofanova, posted an extraordinary video address on Facebook, in which she stated that the Government of the Russian Federation reserved the right to a reciprocal and possibly asymmetric response. "It is a pity that the Bulgarian government is trying to create a feud between the two peoples. I don't think it will succeed," Mitrofanova added.
Toll system cameras are now synchronized with the Interior Ministry system. This means that drivers driving in the emergency lane will be monitored and penalized, said Interior Minister Daniel Mitov . “All drivers should know that after the..
Monthly inflation stands at 0.4%, and annual inflation at 4.4%, the National Statistical Institute has announced. In May, the annual inflation stood at 3.7%, the highest since December 2023. The acceleration of the annual inflation rate in..
Starting this autumn, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy will launch a program aimed at attracting Bulgarians from abroad. More than EUR 33 million will fund the initiative "I Choose Bulgaria", reported 24chasa.bg. The goal is to bring workers..
Demonstrations in support of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev are set to intensify on Tuesday evening, expanding beyond Bulgaria to four major European cities...
The REXDAN ship, which is conducting a large-scale study of the configuration and dynamics of the Danube River - from the Black Sea to Vienna , has..
On Wednesday, the Council of Ministers adopted the Programme for the Support of Bulgarian Communities, Organisations and Media Abroad for 2025...
+359 2 9336 661