Andrey Kovatchev

Following the 2-in-1 elections in Bulgaria, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has finalized the mandates for the European Parliament. Notably, Rosen Zhelyazkov from GERB and Jevdet Chakarov and Iskra Mihailova from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) declined their positions as MEPs.

The Bulgarian Central Electoral Commission (CEC) adopted a decision distributing the mandates from the European Parliament vote among the participating parties. GERB will be represented by five MEPs, while the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB), and "Revival" each send three deputies to the European Parliament.

Concerns are mounting within the European Parliament regarding potential Russian interference in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, coupled with apprehensions surrounding Russian-owned properties in Bulgaria.

Members of the European Parliament from the European People's Party Andrey Kovatchev and from "Renew Europe" Ilhan Kyuchyuk believe that the fifth package of EU sanctions against Russia, which is being prepared, will negatively affect Bulgaria as well.

Andrey Kovachev from the EPP thinks this is inevitable.

A report recommending an end to the Customs Union between the European Union and Turkey and replacing it with a free trade agreement (FTA) of the type with the United Kingdom, Japan or Canada has been discussed at the European Parliament's Commission on International Trade (INTA).

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The European Commission has confirmed that it received a letter sent earlier this week from Bulgarian MEPs from GERB-UDF / EPP, commenting on the actions of the caretaker government.

Addressing the European Parliament (EP) on Thursday, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi encouraged Skopje and Sofia to redouble their efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution to the pending bilateral issues. The EP is expected to vote later in the day on the progress reports on North Macedonia and three other Western Balkan countries.

Late last night, the names of all 17 new MEPs became clear. The CEC officially announced the results of Sunday's European elections. Thus, 5 Bulgarian parties and coalitions will have their representatives in the new European Parliament. These are GERB, BSP, DPS (MRF), VMRO (IMRO) and Democratic Bulgaria.

Maryia Garbiel, Bulgaria's current European Commissioner, leads GERB's list for the European elections, reports BNT. 

At a forum in the National Palace of Culture on 31st of March, GERB (majority partner in the ruling coalition) announced the list of candidates for the elections for members of the EP.

According to the president of the European People's Party, only unification will avoid spilling votes