German chancellor Angela Merkel is seeking bilateral talks on managing so-called secondary migration, at the two-day summit starting today (28 June). Georgi Gotev has the story. The dispute is over plans drawn up by Merkel’s interior minister Horst Seehofer, the head of Bavaria’s conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), to send back migrants who reach the German border … [Read more...] about At today’s summit, Merkel will seeks bilateral deals on migrant ‘secondary movements’
Borissov fends off allegations of having bought a Greek island
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov commented today (27 June) allegations that he had bought a Greek island, saying that if they would be proven, he would resign. In parallel, a scandal about media freedom unfolded. Georgi Gotev has the story. Speaking to selected Bulgarian journalists on 24 June Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov reacted furiously to publications … [Read more...] about Borissov fends off allegations of having bought a Greek island
Kaloyan Georgiev: New populist face targets the Bulgarian diaspora
Showman Slavi Trifonov is perceived as the next miracle maker about to enter Bulgarian politics. The novelty is that he is trying to use the Bulgarian diaspora as a legitimising instrument and façade for his own political illiteracy, writes Kaloyan Georgiev. Kaloyan Georgiev co-founded “Mentors BG” – an innovative mentorship program in Bulgaria, supported by individuals in … [Read more...] about Kaloyan Georgiev: New populist face targets the Bulgarian diaspora
Bulgaria under fire for ill-treatment of asylum-seekers
French lawyers will today (26 June) bring a complaint against Bulgaria and will ask the European Commission to start and infringement proceeding for inhuman treatment of asylum seekers by this country’s authorities, the Green/EFA group announced. Georgi Gotev has the story. In the presence of the Green/EFA group co-chair Ska Keller, the lawyers presented a 20-page report, … [Read more...] about Bulgaria under fire for ill-treatment of asylum-seekers
Opening EU accession negotiations with Macedonia and Albania still undecided
Bulgaria has a couple of days left to try to persuade reluctant EU countries to open accession negotiations with Macedonia and Albania, writes Georgi Gotev. Last May Handelsblatt compared Boyko Borissov to a doorman who tries to smuggle in the EU the countries of the Western Balkans, despite the reluctance of many club members. Indeed, the Western Balkans were the big … [Read more...] about Opening EU accession negotiations with Macedonia and Albania still undecided