Plamen

Politicians from ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and opposition GERB MPs led a day-long discussion over whether Bulgaria should acquire new fighter jets.

Boyko Borisov, who heads the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), underscored that new fighters would carry additional costs and would require between BGN 600 and 700 M (EUR 300-350 M).

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski refused to comment in front of journalists on the eventual resignation of the Government. 

If the government is unable to fulfill goals of national interest, it should embark on a "zero" scenario - elections as soon as possible, a top ruling party cadre said.

Yanaki Stoilov, the Deputy Chair of socialists' group in Parliament, told the Bulgarian National Radio that extending the term of the cabinet was not an end in itself.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski is expected to address Parliament members on Friday to report on the cabinet's work over the past year.

The Socialist-led cabinet of PM Plamen Oresharski survived a 4th no-confidence vote on Friday.

A total of 116 MPs voted against the motion submitted by the opposition GERB party, while 93 supported it.

From Euractiv

Speaking after the EU summit held yesterday (27 May), Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso made it plain that the EU executive would impose infringements on Bulgaria regarding the Gazprom-favoured South Stream pipeline, the construction of which is about to begin in breach with EU laws.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski was received by Pope Francis in his official residence in the Vatican on Wednesday.

The meeting lasted for about 30 minutes, it was reported. PM Oresharski presented Pope Francis with the oil painting Yerosalimia. On his part, the head of the Roman Catholic Church gave an ink stand as a gift to Oresharski.

Bulgaria's Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski is monitoring the situation following the earthquake which occurred earlier Saturday in Aegean Sea and was felt in Bulgaria and Greece.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has postponed a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Plamen Oresharski scheduled for 11 am on May 22.

Bulgaria was informed about the step at 8 pm on Wednesday, according to reports of private TV station bTV, as cited by dnevnik.bg.

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency shut down the catering company, that provides food to the Presidency and Parliament, said the agency head Plamen Mollov. 

The reason is serious violations of safety procedures for food preparation, catering and lack of systems for control. 

The inspection was carried out after a signal from a “secret agent”.