Grigorova, Manolova daub dismantled Soviet Army monument fence
Two prominent left-wing politicians, MEP candidate and leader of Solidary Bulgaria Vanya Grigorova, and her coalition partner Maya Manolova who is standing for the national election, commemorated May 9 by visiting Sofia's recently dismantled Monument to the Soviet Army.
At the site they left red roses on the fence and daubed the message "There will be a monument here again" with red spray. The two candidate-deputies threatened to hold to account anyone who "tried to insult it, to cut it with a flex, and destroy its heritage".
The move, on what was Victory in Europe day, was their opening salvo as campaigning for national and European Parliament elections kicks off. Grigorova, who lost last year's Sofia mayor election to Vassil Terziev, and Manolova, are known for their Russophile stance.
More deaths and fewer births but 2023 bucks trend
The past 13 years in Bulgaria have seen a gradually declining birth rate, an aging population and an associated higher death rate, according to reports.
Data shows that the Turkish and Roma minorities are giving birth to fewer children. In order to stimulate the birth rate, economists and demographers agree on the necessity to address socio-economic instability and prioritize children's welfare.
However, National Statistical Institute (NSI) data show that the number of deaths last year decreased by nearly 18,000 compared to 2022, and the number of births rose by about 600. Whether this is merely a blip in the overall trend remains to be seen.
BA Glass reports 3 billion levs in sales
Glass packaging producer BA Glass Bulgaria, part of the Portuguese group BA Glass, has increased its sales by 5% to nearly 3 billion levs in 2023, while its profit jumped by 46%, reports the company that owns factories in Sofia and Plovdiv (the former Druzhba glass factories).
The result reflects the activity of all 12 factories of BA Glass, since the Bulgarian company is the sales center of the whole group. Forecasts for 2024 are for additional growth thanks to increased demand, the company reports.
Grigorova, Manolova daub dismantled Soviet Army monument fence
Two prominent left-wing politicians, MEP candidate and leader of Solidary Bulgaria Vanya Grigorova, and her coalition partner Maya Manolova who is standing for the national election, commemorated May 9 by visiting Sofia's recently dismantled Monument to the Soviet Army.
