Election violations widespread among all parties
The prosecutor's office received 3,393 reports of violations and crimes in the recent local elections. The state prosecution reported a 52% increase in the number of signals received in the previous local elections in 2019 when 1,774 signals were received.
"All political parties bought or tried to buy votes during the local elections," the prosecutors explained. Most reports of irregularities were received in the regions of Burgas, Varna, Blagoevgrad and Pazardzhik.
Deputy Prosecutor General Maria Pavlova also reported an increase in the number of pre-trial proceedings initiated, with 231 recorded to date, as against 136 in 2019.
Trade remains balanced
Retail trade in September was virtually unchanged on the previous year. At the same time, there was a minimal increase (4.4%) in sales of food and beverages, tobacco products by 4.4%, and fuels by 3.2%.
Online trade continues to grow, albeit at a slower pace, increasing by 5.7% on an annual basis.
There was a more significant decline (15%) in sales of clothes and shoes, and a 5.8% decline in retail trade in household appliances, furniture and other household goods.
Industrial activity on the back foot
Industrial production recorded a decline in September on both a monthly and annual basis. The drop compared to the same month of the previous year was greater (11.5%) but at only 2.7% compared to August, according to data from the National Statistical Institute.
According to calendar-adjusted data, the production and distribution of electricity, heat and gas fell by 31.8%. In the mining industry the decline was 17.2%, and in the processing industry it was 7.7%.
In the processing industry, there was a significant drop of 34% compared to the same month of the previous year in the production of computer and communication equipment, electronic and optical products. Textiles and textile products, excluding clothing, fell by 29.8%. Furniture fell by 27% and products from other non-metallic mineral raw materials declined by 24.2%.
Election violations widespread among all parties
The prosecutor's office received 3,393 reports of violations and crimes in the recent local elections. The state prosecution reported a 52% increase in the number of signals received in the previous local elections in 2019 when 1,774 signals were received.
