Temenuzhka Petkova

Bulgarian MPs are set to attempt electing a speaker of parliament for the fifth time today, following repeated delays in the process since the constitution of the 51st National Assembly.

Negotiations between GERB and DPS to form a government began after a delay caused by disputes over seating arrangements in the plenary hall. Contrary to expectations, Delyan Peevski, co-chairman of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), did not participate, in line with Boyko Borissov's decision not to lead the talks personally.

Amid escalating tensions within Bulgaria's political sphere, discussions between GERB and "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) have abruptly faltered once more. The breakdown stems from the latter's insistence on new conditions, leading GERB to withdraw from negotiations and call for snap elections.

In an ambitious declaration that resonated through the plenary hall during the commencement of Parliament's winter session, Temenuzhka Petkova, Deputy Floor Leader of GERB-SDS, outlined the party's key priorities for the upcoming legislative period.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borissov will participate in the official online ceremony on the occasion of Bulgaria's accession to the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The situation in the country is getting back to normal, the difficulties caused by the severe weather conditions are constantly monitored, the levels of the dams are monitored and, where necessary, water is discharged under strict expert control. All relevant institutions are working in full co-ordination with each other and are on standby to respond, including to citizens' alerts.

From December 31, Bulgaria will start receiving natural gas from Azerbaijan. According to the signed contract between Bulgargaz and the Azerbaijani oil company SOCAR, 1 billion cubic meters of gas per year will be delivered to our country from the Shah Deniz 2 gas field for a period of 25 years, the government press office reported.

At a meeting in the Council of Ministers, representatives of business, government and trade unions signed important agreements.

Ivan Ivanov, chair of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission stated that without amendments to the law there is no way money can be refunded to consumers as a result of the reduction in natural gas prices. He added that such a decision with retroactive effect would be annulled in court, BNR reported.

Our country is an integral part of the Southern Gas Corridor through the Greece-Bulgaria gas interconnector. The fourth gas corridor in Europe plays an important geostrategic role for the diversification of the gas supplies for Bulgaria and the region, this country's Minister of Energy Temenuzhka Petkova said, reported by BNR.