Bulgaria's politicians acknowledge Trump's election victory
President Rumen Radev has stressed continuity in relations between the USA and Bulgaria following Donald Trump's empathic presidential election victory: "I am confident that our effective dialogue at the highest level will continue in the interest of the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the USA," he wrote on X.
GERB leader Boyko Borissov, whose party won the most votes in the recent election, reacted on his profile on Facebook: "Congratulations to Donald J Trump. I am ready to work together again! For security!"
Kiril Petkov, leader of WCC, and part of the WCC-DB parliamentary group, chose to congratulate his "friends" in the Republican Party on its electoral success. "The fate of Bulgaria depends above all on the Bulgarians, but good cooperation with the USA is important for the positioning of our country in the changing geopolitical reality," he added.
Critical water shortages threaten reservoir levels
Bulgaria's water reservoirs are at critically low levels, primarily due to prolonged drought, mismanagement, and overuse for other purposes.
For November 2024, the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) will reduce allowed water volumes to 442.2 million cubic meters-29.5 million less than October levels. Key reservoirs such as Kamchia and Yasna Polyana face particularly low reserves, with current supplies likely lasting less than six months if drought persists.
The lack of spring flow, compounded by inefficient water management, poses risks for 2025, especially in regions relying on Kamchia and other Southern reservoirs. MoEW calls for urgent action, including stricter water usage regulation and tapping alternative sources, but challenges in investment and network losses hinder a swift resolution.
Lukoil nears sale of its largest Balkan asset to Qatar-Britain consortium
Russian energy group Lukoil is reportedly close to selling its largest Balkan asset, the Lukoil Neftochim Burgas refinery in Bulgaria, to a Qatar-Britain consortium, according to the UK's Financial Times.
This refinery, Bulgaria's largest company by revenue, is expected to be sold by year-end, although regulatory approvals would delay finalization. The preferred buyer is a consortium between Qatar's Oryx Global, led by businessman Ghanim bin Saad al-Saad, and London-based commodity trader DL Hudson.
Lukoil has faced pressure to exit Bulgaria since the Ukraine war began, and this marks the most concrete report of an interested and progressing buyer to date.
Bulgaria's politicians acknowledge Trump's election victory
President Rumen Radev has stressed continuity in relations between the USA and Bulgaria following Donald Trump's empathic presidential election victory: "I am confident that our effective dialogue at the highest level will continue in the interest of the strategic partnership between Bulgaria and the USA," he wrote on X.
