The Bulgarian National Assembly's Budget and Finance Committee has scheduled an extraordinary meeting for March 17. The session is set to focus on the deliberation of a state budget extension bill, a critical legislative step aimed at ensuring the continuity of public funding and financial operations in the country.
The Bulgarian Football Union (BFU) has announced a proposed statutory amendment aimed at implementing an absolute ban on sports betting for all professional players, coaches, and club staff. This initiative seeks to enhance the integrity of the sport and combat match-fixing within the Bulgarian football system.
The Plovdiv Appellate Court in Bulgaria has upheld the detention of Bulgarian and Turkish nationals accused of smuggling cocaine and gold. The suspects were apprehended at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint. The court's decision ensures the defendants remain in custody as the investigation into the cross-border smuggling operation continues.
Bulgaria has received the first two of its new electric multiple unit (EMU) trains from Skoda Group. The trains, which successfully completed rigorous safety and dynamic testing in the Czech Republic, are part of a broader initiative to modernize the nation's railway infrastructure and improve passenger service quality across the Bulgarian rail network.
The Bulgarian Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) has officially approved the prospectus for an initial public offering of warrants by Republica Holding. This regulatory milestone allows the company to proceed with its planned issuance, marking a significant step in its capital market activities within Bulgaria.
Bulgaria's Security Council, led by caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, convened on February 28, 2026, and determined there is no direct military threat to the country following recent Middle East escalation. The Prime Minister assured Bulgaria's non-involvement in the conflict, with measures in place to ensure national security and citizen safety.
Bulgaria's Ministry of Finance successfully raised 150 million euro through the issuance of two-year fixed-rate Treasury notes. The auction, held on February 23, 2026, saw a weighted average annual yield of 2.37% and a strong coverage ratio of 1.91, indicating robust investor interest.
Heavy snowfall and powerful winds have paralyzed Bulgaria, leading to extensive road closures, significant power outages affecting numerous villages, and school cancellations across multiple regions. Authorities have issued orange weather warnings and urged caution.
Bulgaria has commenced receiving its new Stryker combat and support vehicles, with the first five arriving at the Port of Burgas on February 14, 2026. This delivery marks a significant step in the Bulgarian military's modernization efforts and its commitment to NATO interoperability.
The European Central Bank (ECB) issued preliminary authorization on February 13, 2026, for Bago (Luxembourg) S.à r.l., a portfolio company of Advent International L.P., to acquire a majority stake in Bulgaria's TBI Bank. This marks a significant step towards the finalization of the acquisition, initially agreed upon in April 2025.
Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry has issued a strong condemnation against the annual 'Lukov March,' a neo-Nazi procession held in Sofia to commemorate General Hristo Lukov. Despite a municipal ban, which was later overturned by a court, the ministry reiterated its opposition, citing the event's incompatibility with Bulgarian values and its potential to foster extremism and antisemitism.
Bulgaria has scored 40 points in Transparency International's 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, marking its lowest performance since 2012 and placing it last among EU member states alongside Hungary. The report highlights a deepening governance crisis, citing ineffective anti-corruption measures and institutional instability.
Krum Zarkov has been elected as the new leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) at its 51st Congress in Sofia, held on February 8, 2026. Zarkov secured 416 votes, succeeding Atanas Zafirov, who resigned during the congress. The election marks a new chapter for the center-left party amidst efforts to revitalize its political standing.
The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology issued orange and yellow code warnings for heavy snowfall and blizzards across most of Bulgaria, effective February 1, 2026. Expected snowfall ranges from 10 to 30 cm, leading to challenging road conditions, travel restrictions for heavy vehicles, and deployment of over 1,200 snow-clearing machines.
The European Commission has launched infringement procedures against Bulgaria, issuing letters of formal notice for its failure to transpose various EU rules across critical sectors including data protection, financial services, consumer credit, crypto-assets, taxation, and budgetary frameworks. Additionally, a reasoned opinion was sent regarding the Methane Regulation, and Bulgaria was urged to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty following the EU's own withdrawal in June 2025. Bulgaria has two months to address these concerns.
The European Commission has approved nearly 104 million euro in funding from its Connecting Europe Facility for a cross-border smart energy networks project between Romania and Bulgaria. Named 'CARMEN', the initiative aims to modernize and digitalize electricity transmission and distribution networks, enhancing efficiency and enabling secure flows of renewable energy across the region.
Bulgaria's selection process for its next European Public Prosecutor has sparked significant controversy, with critics citing a lack of transparency and questioning the legitimacy of the selection committee. Three candidates have been nominated, but concerns persist regarding pre-determined outcomes and the integrity of the vetting procedure.
Bulgaria's state-owned Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH) has acquired a 10% stake in the 'Khan Asparuh' offshore oil and gas exploration block in the Black Sea. This move, finalized on January 21, 2026, aims to bolster energy security, reduce import reliance, and generate state revenue. BEH joins OMV Offshore Bulgaria and NewMed Energy Balkan Limited in the consortium.
China has announced the extension of its unilateral visa-free policy for citizens from 45 countries, including Bulgaria, allowing stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, and other purposes. This measure, effective until December 31, 2026, aims to boost international exchanges, foster economic growth, and enhance tourism.
Bulgarian opposition leader Bozhidar Bozhanov has warned that a new contract with Microsoft for the state administration poses long-term risks to national security and digital sovereignty. His concerns focus on cloud-based data management and control over encryption keys.
