As parts of Bulgaria battle snowstorms, political temperatures are rising in the run-up to this spring's parliamentary elections. The latest polling gives the ruling party GERB a narrow lead. If they want to keep it, they may have to move the re-opening of restaurants forward following today's protest by hospitality representatives who also demanded the health minister's resignation. Other businesses may also be discontent as natural gas prices are set to increase from February.
GERB ahead by a nose
The ruling GERB party has a lead of almost 3% over the opposition - BSP, currently on 24.9% in a survey of 1,008 adults conducted by sociological agency Trend. TV host turned political leader Slavi Trifonov and his There is no such people party has stalled at 11.8%. The other two formations to enter the next parliament would be MRF (10.3%) and Democratic Bulgaria (6%).
Gas prices rise
The price of natural gas will increase to 28.92 levs per Mwh (excluding prices for access, transmission, excise, and VAT) from 1 February. This corresponds to an increase of about 7.4% compared to the current 26.93 levs per Mwh and will be the highest price since March 2020. Despite this increase, gas prices in Bulgaria remain significantly lower than in other parts of Europe.
Restaurateurs demand the health minister's resignation
Hundreds of restaurant representatives took to Sofia's snow-covered streets in a civil disobedience march on Wednesday. Although authorities promised the sector that doors would re-open on 1 March, protestors are demanding looser restrictions from early February, along with health minister Prof. Kostadin Angelov's resignation.
As parts of Bulgaria battle snowstorms, political temperatures are rising in the run-up to this spring's parliamentary elections. The latest polling gives the ruling party GERB a narrow lead. If they want to keep it, they may have to move the re-opening of restaurants forward following today's protest by hospitality representatives who also demanded the health minister's resignation. Other businesses may also be discontent as natural gas prices are set to increase from February.
