Invited by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Koveshi arrived in Sofia to discuss Bulgaria's corruption problem. Earlier, Mr Petkov had taken aim at duplicitous dealings. "It's the same people who wake up in the morning, thinking about schemes involving Russia, who, on other occasions, undertake schemes that harm the Bulgarian budget," he said during Tuesday's Capital Weekly "Government meets Business" conference (highlights here). Koveshi explained that the European Prosecutor's Office had launched more than 120 investigations following Bulgarian reports about alleged corruption.
Ukraine's ambassador seeks GERB support for Ukraine
Ukraine's ambassador to Bulgaria Vitaly Moskalenko called on Bulgaria to help Ukraine during a meeting with GERB's leader Boyko Borissov. He was invited by Borissov to GERB's office where Mr Moskalenko sought military and diplomatic assistance from the largest opposition formation.
"I have always been for peace, tolerance, and diplomatic solutions to problems, but this was until war broke out," Mr Borissov told the ambassador. "We have to be part of the democratic community. We must take all measures to stop this war," he added. The GERB leader also criticized President Rumen Radev for his "evasive" comments about the war in Ukraine. Borissov also attacked Prime Minister Kiril Petkov for not traveling to Kyiv, where other European leaders had met.
Bulgaria has jobs for 150,000 Ukrainian refugees
Bulgaria can employ a large number of refugees from Ukraine, according to Minister of Innovation and Growth Daniel Lorer who was speaking after a meeting with representatives of employers' organizations. Mr Lorer said that the Bulgarian economy could provide 150 000 people with jobs. "These are not 150,000 existing jobs, but potential jobs which Bulgaria can provide," he said. Nearly 80,000 people from Ukraine have already entered the country and half of them have stayed.
Government loses support - poll
Public trust in the government and the biggest party in Parliament , "We Continue The Change", has fallen, according to a survey from Trend. The winners of the recent election have now lost 3.5 % of support over the past two months. The party headed by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov is still in first place but only with a wafer-thin 1% lead over their main opponent - GERB; the latter sees no change in its support of 21.9%.
A slight increase in disapproval of the work of the President Rumen Radev is also reported. While in February 55% viewed Mr Radev favorably, that number has now fallen to 49%. Bulgarians' attitude towards Putin's invasion of Ukraine is generally condemnatory, but 16% still believe that the war launched by Russia is justified.
Invited by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Koveshi arrived in Sofia to discuss Bulgaria's corruption problem. Earlier, Mr Petkov had taken aim at duplicitous dealings. "It's the same people who wake up in the morning, thinking about schemes involving Russia, who, on other occasions, undertake schemes that harm the Bulgarian budget," he said during Tuesday's Capital Weekly "Government meets Business" conference (highlights here). Koveshi explained that the European Prosecutor's Office had launched more than 120 investigations following Bulgarian reports about alleged corruption.
