France

Center-right opposition UMP party has claimed victory in Sunday's second tour of French local elections.

Ten to fifteen towns could fall into the far-right National Front (FN)'s hands, according to various reports.

FN is poised to install mayors or councilors in some 200 places across France.

By Alexia Kefala

There is speculation in Paris that Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici may abandon his post to become a “super commissioner” in Brussels. In an interview with Kathimerini, ahead of a visit to Greece, Moscovici says that, in any case, he is keeping a close eye on developments regarding the Greek economy.

Bulgarian Economy and Energy Minister Dragomir Stoynev has declared the industrial, energy and social policy of the European Union "a total failure."

Speaking Friday in Sofia at a conference entitled "Social Alternative for Europe", he said the collapse had happened after approximately two terms in office of the rightwing European People's Party (EPP).

By Alastair Marsh

The penalty that banks in Europe’s most indebted nations pay to borrow compared with those from the richest economies fell to the lowest in four years amid growing confidence in the region’s economic recovery.

By Martin Santa

Optimism in the eurozone's economy brightened more than expected in March, as European consumer confidence showed its strongest monthly jump in nearly five years.

Cécilia Attias, ex-wife of former French President Sarkozy, met Thursday in Sofia with the Bulgarian medics who spent 8 years in prison in Libya over a HIV trial.

Cecilia Attias, then-wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, had a major contribution to the release of the medics.

French companies have struck agreements worth EUR 18 B with China during its president's official visit to Paris.

A total of 50 deals were signed according to France's President Francois Hollande, who made the announcement after meeting his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the Elysee Palace, France24's website has reported.

Bulgaria had the lowest hourly labor costs in the EU in 2013, yet it was the country to register the highest increase in the segment since 2008, according to Eurostat.

According to Eurostat data, in 2013 Bulgaria registered the lowest hourly labor costs among EU member states, at EUR 3.7, followed by Romania with EUR 4.6.

Cécilia Attias, ex-wife of former French President Sarkozy, arrives in Sofia Thursday to meet with the five Bulgarian nurses involved in the HIV trial in Libya.

BNP Paribas, France's largest bank by market capitalization, has announced plans to pull back from Ukraine.

Its chief financial executive Lars Machenil however added BNP does not mull leaving other countries to the east of Europe, such as Turkey and Poland, website Investor.bg reports.