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

Mines and thermal power plants are doomed, Finance Minister says

Photo: BNR

The blockades of main roads in Bulgaria by protesting miners and energy workers continue for the fourth day. The Pass of the Republic, the Sub-Balkan road near Gurkovo are closed. There is a blockade in Radnevo on the road to Nova Zagora. The Ruse-Svilengrad road near Brikel TPP in Galabovo is closed. A blockade of the Struma highway is also planned. It is unclear when and where negotiations with the government will begin.

Stara Zagora is a region with a highway and a railway line, which is developing quite well, and there is serious investor interest, Finance Minister Assen Vassilev told bTV. 

"If someone lies to you that you will continue to do what you have been doing for the last 20 years, then they are lying to you," emphasized Vassilev. "What has been until now cannot continue because you see for yourself that the market imposes a limit, not the government. As long as the market pays 90 euros per tonne of coal, there is no way electricity from the mines will be competitive. This profession has a future until 2038 with diminishing functions," the minister said on the occasion of the protests of energy workers and miners.



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

Russia and unstable Balkans are threat to national security

The main threats to Bulgaria's national security are Russia and the instability of the Western Balkans, according to the annual report of the State Agency for National Security (SANS) for 2024. In Bulgaria, two Russian..

published on 4/28/25 9:20 AM

European Council President meets Bulgarian Prime Minister and President

For two decades Bulgaria has known what it is striving for, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said after a meeting with President of the European Council António Costa, who arrived on a three-day visit to Bulgaria. Zhelyazkov pointed..

published on 4/28/25 8:55 AM

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev will participate in the Three Seas initiative

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev begins his two-day visit to Warsaw at the invitation of his counterpart Andrzej Duda. In the Polish capital, he will participate in the 10th Summit of the “Three Seas” initiative to deepen cooperation in the energy,..

published on 4/28/25 7:35 AM