About: Plamen Oresharski

Socialists’ Radev leads Bulgaria presidential race

Bulgaria's Socialist-backed candidate, Rumen Radev, led the first round of Bulgaria's presidential election, partial official results showed early today (7 November), ahead of his main rival from the ruling centre-right GERB party.

Bulgarian government resigns without nominating a Commissioner

As expected, the minority Bulgarian government resigned yesterday (23 July), following months of political agony. The only surprise appears to be that the cabinet failed at its last session to nominate a Commissioner, leaving this task to the caretaker cabinet.

Juncker tries hard to get Georgieva on his team

Jean-Claude Juncker, expected to be approved by the European Parliament for Commission President tomorrow (15 July) is trying hard to make sure that Kristalina Georgieva, the current Bulgarian Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, gets nominated by the outgoing cabinet in Sofia for the post of Commission Vice President and EU foreign Affairs Chief, Commission sources told EURACTIV.

Green leader calls for Georgieva to succeed Ashton

The Green European Parliament Vice President Ulrike Lunacek has called on EU leaders to elect Kristalina Georgieva, the Bulgarian commissioner for humanitarian aid, as the successor of Catherine Ashton as EU foreign Affairs chief.

Bulgarian bank run paves the way to early election

Bulgaria's leaders have asked citizens not to panic and withdraw their savings when banks reopen today (30 June), following runs on two major lenders that have raised concerns for the Balkan country's financial stability. Political forces also agreed that early elections should be held on 5 October.

EU heavyweights advise Bulgaria to nominate Georgieva for Ashton’s job

The ambassadors of several Western EU countries have indicated their countries’ support for Kristalina Georgieva, the Bulgarian Commissioner responsible for Humanitarian Aid, to be nominated for the new EU executive, indicating that she might get the post of foreign affairs chief currently held by Catherine Ashton, EURACTIV has learned.

Gazprom threatens to stop gas deliveries to Ukraine

Russian gas exporter Gazprom will halt supplies to Ukraine if it fails to pay off part of its gas debts by Monday, chief executive Alexei Miller said yesterday (12 June), raising fears of gas flow disruptions to Europe.

Bulgaria’s government to collapse over South Stream

Bulgaria’s government will be the first in the European Union to fall after the EU elections, against the background of the unfolding controversy over the Gazprom-supported South Stream gas pipeline.

Renzi leads belated effort in support of South Stream

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was the driving force behind a joint letter in support of the South Stream project to the European Commission by the leaders of the countries through which the gas pipeline would pass, EURACTIV has learnt. But the effort appears wasted as Bulgaria has now ordered work on the initiative to stop.

Rogue candidate puts Bulgarian party at odds with EU allies

A controversial MEP candidate has put the Bulgarian Movement of Rights and Freedoms party at odds within its own Liberal group, and has antagonised its potential allies, the Socialists, and the centre-right European People’s Party.