Council of Europe criticizes political elite
Inefficient justice, loopholes in the rules for politicians at the top and dependent media outlets are several distinctive features of the political elite in Bulgaria. These are the conclusions reached by the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe.
The report assessed Bulgaria's anti-corruption legal framework for the first time since 2014 and uncovered numerous loopholes in the state's anti-corruption system that render it ineffective. GRECO also criticized the Anti-Corruption Commission, which "has many competencies but is largely ineffective" and noted poor procedures for appointing its management.
Bulgaria vies for Europe's lowest electricity prices
The warm and windy weather lowered the average value of electricity to below 260/mWh yesterday. Since the beginning of January, electricity prices on the free market have been significantly lower than those at the end of 2022, and specifically today, January the 19th, the value achieved in Bulgaria is one of the lowest in Europe - 54 euros/mWh. The average value of electricity this January is 131 euros per MWh, with similar values not having been seen since September 2021.
Only Spain and Portugal have lower prices - where a ceiling has been imposed on electricity producers who use natural gas.
Air ambulance to arrive this summer at the earliest
Slovak and Belgian companies are the candidates in the public order for the "dry lease" of a medical helicopter with an estimated price of 1.7 million euros.
Bulgaria has a chance to acquire a medical helicopter for rent and start developing an air rescue service by the beginning of next summer at the earliest as part of the construction of the so-called HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service).
The subject of the missing air ambulance in Bulgaria remains topical after the failure of the two public tenders for medical helicopters and the decision to close down "Bulgaria Heli Med Service". The state company was created not long ago - during the "Petkov" cabinet, with the idea of building and implementing the HEMS activity.
Council of Europe criticizes political elite
Inefficient justice, loopholes in the rules for politicians at the top and dependent media outlets are several distinctive features of the political elite in Bulgaria. These are the conclusions reached by the Group of States Against Corruption (GRECO) of the Council of Europe.
