Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Attempts to illegally enter Bulgaria have increased by 40%

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev
Photo: BGNES

The migrant pressure on Bulgaria since the beginning of the year has increased by 40% compared to the same period last year, Caretaker Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev announced to BNR. 

He added that 2022 was a record year – with three times the pressure of previous years. On this occasion, the implementation of a joint project with the European Commission will begin in a few weeks. 

"It is about the technical securing of 110 km, which have not been secured in any way within 10 years of pressure. It refers to the return of the Border Police staff, which were reduced by 2,000 people during these 10 years, while the migrant pressure has been increasing", explained the minister. 

Ivan Demerdzhiev again called for legislative changes so that the migrant smugglers could receive heavier sentences, which, he said, now last 5 months at best. 

He also said that the first signals of attempts to buy votes for the upcoming parliamentary elections on April 2 have already been received.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A new law will normalize pricing along the supply chain

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food will draft a law aimed at normalizing relations along the entire supply chain – from primary production, through processors, the distribution of primary products and food, as well as wholesale and retail trade,..

published on 2/15/25 2:50 PM
Bulgaria’s Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov

Bulgaria's cabinet holds emergency meeting on food prices

Bulgaria’s Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov convened an emergency meeting at the Council of Ministers on Saturday dedicated to the issue of food prices. On February 13, some Bulgarians participated in a boycott of food retail chains. Measures for..

published on 2/15/25 1:16 PM
Georg Georgiev (L) and David Lammy (R)

Foreign Minister Georgiev: Schengen membership strengthens our capacity to manage migration

Bulgaria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Georg Georgiev, participated in a working breakfast dedicated to addressing illegal migration and its consequences. The forum was part of Georg Georgiev’s program during the Munich Security Conference,..

published on 2/15/25 11:58 AM