Over the weekend the main talking point was a comment from government speaker Lena Borisslavova in a Darik Radio interview in which she said that certain Bulgarian political pundits were being paid 4,000 BGN per month to promote Russian interests. Ms Borisslavova did not name the people concerned, citing "Security Services sources." In other news:
Assen Vassilev launches talks in bid to create a new coalition cabinet
Over the weekend, the nominee for Prime Minister - current Finance Minister Assen Vassilev and his WCC party conducted meetings with potential coalition partners BSP and Democratic Bulgaria. They agreed to launch work meetings on Monday and Tuesday, which will aim to nominate new government ministers, set up a new governing program for the next six months and establish a new coalition steering committee. As the parliamentary group of TISP has been consistently opposed to Mr Vassilev becoming Prime Minister, WCC are left looking for more MPs from Slavi Trifonov's party willing to back them against their faction's line, or the support of other parliamentary groups - both of which look difficult..
Russian embassy diplomats, staff and families leave Sofia on two humanitarian flights
Between 170 and 180 Russians - diplomats, embassy staff and their families - left Sofia for Moscow on Sunday afternoon on two humanitarian flights sent by Russia. The 70 members of the diplomatic corps and technical staff were accused of spying by Prime Minister Kiril Petkov and the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday last week and were given until Sunday to leave the country. The highest ranking Russian diplomat designated persona non grata - Minister Plenipotentiary of Russia in Bulgaria Filip Voskresensky - said that Sofia has "limited to the minimum the ability of the Russian Embassy to function," denying all charges of espionage raised against him and other Russian officials.
25 stotinki discount on fuel expected to kick in on 9 July: Petrol and Gas Association
The measure that foresees a 25 stotinki (cents) discount per liter on base fuel prices for customers should come into effect on Saturday, 9 June, if the updated State Budget Law is promulgated in the 5 July issue of the State Gazette according to Zhivodar Terziev, chairman of the Bulgarian Oil and Gas Association speaking to Nova TV. Terzieve said it is up to any particular petrol stations or chain to choose whether to participate in the proposed state aid for consumers, passed by Parliament in the budget revision last week.
Over the weekend the main talking point was a comment from government speaker Lena Borisslavova in a Darik Radio interview in which she said that certain Bulgarian political pundits were being paid 4,000 BGN per month to promote Russian interests. Ms Borisslavova did not name the people concerned, citing "Security Services sources." In other news:
