About: bad governance
After two months of protests, Bulgaria is on the brink
The protest rally in Sofia on Wednesday (2 September) marked the peak of two months of demonstrations demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev. EURACTIV's Kalina Angelova was there and captured the mood.
France creates reform roadmap for crisis-ridden Lebanon
French President Emmanuel Macron has created a roadmap for Lebanese politicians outlining political and financial reforms needed to unlock foreign aid and rescue the country from multiple crises including an economic meltdown.
Biggest Thai protest in years puts pressure on government
More than 10,000 Thai protesters chanting “down with dictatorship” and “the country belongs to the people” rallied in Bangkok on Sunday (16 August) in by far the biggest anti-government demonstration since a 2014 coup.
Lebanon’s leaders warned in July about explosives at port, documents reveal
Lebanese security officials warned the prime minister and president last month that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored in Beirut’s port posed a security risk and could destroy the capital if it exploded, according to documents.
World pledges €250 million to Lebanon, to be delivered ‘directly’ to population
World leaders on Sunday (9 August) pledged more than €250 million for disaster-struck Lebanon, conference host France said, with the emergency aid to be delivered "directly" to a population reeling from the deadly port blast in Beirut.
In Beirut, Macron says Lebanese leaders need to hear ‘home truths’
Lebanon mourned on Thursday (6 August) the victims of the most powerful blast to hit a country that has already been struck down by an economic crisis, as rescuers searched for those missing since the explosion flattened Beirut port and devastated the city.
Pesticides banned in EU still in use in Bulgaria
In her latest investigation, EURACTIV Bulgaria’s Valia Ahchieva reveals the use of EU-banned pesticides, conflicts of interest, siphoning of European funds, lies and gross neglect of human health and bees’ life by the authorities.
Open letter to Donald Tusk: EPP’s support for Vucic is a disgrace
European People's Party President Donald Tusk has publicly supported Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić ahead of the country's parliamentary election on Sunday (21 June), which the opposition is going to boycott. In response, Serbian opposition leader Dragan Djilas sent an open letter to Tusk. EURACTIV is publishing its shortened version.
Lack of rule of law threatens Bulgaria’s economic recovery
According to the World Bank, it turns out to be easier to do business in post-Soviet Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Russia than in EU member Bulgaria, writes Joël Ruet. Joël Ruet is the chairman of The Bridge Tank As...
Challenging Bulgarian coal plants’ new waste burning obsession
On Monday (March 2), a European and a Bulgarian non-governmental organisation, ClientEarth and “For Earth – Access to Justice”, are filing a complaint with the European Commission in an attempt to challenge Bulgaria’s new obsession of burning waste in coal...
The drained lake in Bulgaria – and the money siphoned away
How was it possible that the water from Bulgaria’s Studena Dam disappeared, creating a humanitarian crisis for more than 100,000 people in the city of Pernik?
The ‘Lake monster’ that drank the water of a dam in Bulgaria
Where did the water from Bulgaria's Studena Dam disappear, creating a humanitarian crisis for more than 100,000 people in the city of Pernik? Following the first part of Valya Ahchieva's investigation, the Minister of environment and water Neno Dimov was arrested.
Minister arrested following investigative report by EURACTIV Bulgaria
Bulgaria's minister for environment and water resources was placed in 24-hour custody, the office of the Prosecutor General said on Thursday. The development took place after an investigative report by EURACTIV Bulgaria exposed mismanagement that left the city of Pernik without drinking water.
How a Bulgarian city with decrepit sports base becomes a ‘European city of sports’
At a recent ceremony in the European Parliament in Brussels, the Association of European Capitals and Cities of Sport awarded the title of 'European City of Sport for 2020' to Pazardzhik. Valia Ahchieva takes a closer look at the Bulgarian city, whose sports base has fallen into disrepair and is earmarked for private developers.
Bosnia must overhaul judiciary, end political obstruction –report
Bosnia and Herzegovina must overhaul its complex and opaque justice system and do more to protect the rule of law if it wants to press its case to join the European Union, legal experts said in an EU-commissioned report on Thursday (5 December).
A ruin to serve as Children’s Hospital? Angry Bulgarians call on Brussels to intervene
A conflict is brewing in Bulgaria between civil society and the government over plans to reconstruct a 12-floor ruin, built during the last years of communism and abandoned ever since, into a children's hospital.
Brexit chaos stirs fears for Bulgaria seasonal farm workers
The 960 inhabitants of the Bulgarian village of Brashten, nestled in the hills and forests on the Greek border, don't normally pay much heed to international politics.
Eritrea: an open-air prison, EU indifferent
Despite the dire situation on the ground in Eritrea, EU countries and the European Union as a whole look the other way. Benoit Lannoo explains why
Thousands in Montenegro rally against President Djukanovic
Thousands protested in Montenegro’s capital Podgorica on Saturday (2 February), the fourth such rally in as many weeks, demanding that President Milo Djukanović and his government resign over alleged corruption, cronyism and abuse of office.
Why do foreign investors leave Bulgaria as if it were the Titanic?
Despite being one of the most beautiful countries in the European Union, despite having talented and educated people, despite a favourable tax environment, Bulgaria is likely to stay as the poorest in the EU, and to continue losing its population, writes Blaga Thavard.
World reaction cautious to disputed DR Congo vote result
Foreign leaders reacted cautiously to the outcome of DR Congo's presidential election Thursday (10 January), with many choosing not to congratulate the man declared winner and appealing for disputes to be settled peacefully.
No EU ambassadors attend Maduro’s second term inauguration
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Thursday (10 January) begins a new term that critics dismiss as illegitimate, with the economy in free fall and the country more isolated than ever. The 56-year-old leader will be sworn in at 1400 GMT by the...
Pressure mounts on DR Congo over election outcome
Public and diplomatic pressure mounted Monday (8 January) on the Democratic Republic of Congo to announce the outcome of 30 December elections to replace long-term leader Joseph Kabila.