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Macro: Fiscal reservations

Alex Bivol — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:59:00 +0200

Every Bulgarian, it is sometimes said, is an expert in matters of finance and knows how to fix the economy.

Legal Alien: The Pizza Connection

Clive Leviev-Sawyer — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:59:00 +0200

Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov’s use of pizza to illustrate the 2010 Budget – thin crust, scant topping – inspired two Sofia restaurants to turn into reality the Dyankov Pizza; but Bulgaria’s political pantry offers many more possibilities.

My Bulgaria: Tricked

Petar Kostadinov — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:59:00 +0200

Knowing Borissov’s sensitivity to criticism, impeachment talks hit a bull’s-eye and Borissov fell into the trap.

Living Bulgaria: High hopes for the new government

Bill Drysdale — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:58:00 +0200

My role as a columnist is not a political one, but in furthering my central theme of "upholding the good name of Bulgaria" it is not possible to avoid the subject.

Offline: IT failure

Rene Beekman — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:58:00 +0200

A November report by the Bulgarian National Audit Office on Government spending on IT hardware and training in education showed chaos that bordered on the incomprehensible.

The English Angle: Happiness...

Gabriel Hershman — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:58:00 +0200

Happiness can hit when you don’t search for it. Back in the UK, I once lived in a posh block in central London.

Macro: Living in the past

Alex Bivol — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:59:00 +0200

Inasmuch as some Bulgarian officials are concerned, the credit crunch and the economic recession might as well have never happened.

Offline: Password protected

Rene Beekman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:59:00 +0200

Anything that is digital can and will be copied, sooner or later. Where and how the file is stored is irrelevant.

The English Angle: Charisma

Gabriel Hershman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:59:00 +0200

One conspicuous absentee from the 20th anniversary celebrations of the fall of the Berlin Wall was former British prime minister Mrs Thatcher.

Offline: Private parts

Rene Beekman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:59:00 +0200

Swedish daily The Local reported on October 21 2009 that a Swedish teenager who allegedly sent nude photos of his ex-girlfriend to his friends, had his conviction overturned upon appeal

Legal Alien: Taking the cake

Clive Leviev-Sawyer — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:59:00 +0200

Not one to rest on his laurels, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Boiko Borissov has cut the budget for laurels. Not only laurels, but all Cabinet entertainment expenses on flower arrangements and buffets

My Bulgaria: Is it worth it?

Petar Kostadinov — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:59:00 +0200

A widespread view in Bulgaria, keenly supported by politicians, is that the work of the secret services should be hidden from the public eye so that the services can do their job to their utmost. This notion applies equally to secret services’ success and failures.

Macro: Euro debate, again

Alex Bivol — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:58:00 +0300

Last year’s short-lived but intense furore left the impression that the debate whether Bulgaria should unilaterally adopt the euro was over.

The English Angle: Party pooper

Gabriel Hershman — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:58:00 +0300

The establishment’s attacks on the British National Party (BNP) in the UK all miss the point.

Living Bulgaria: Snails in Zaimov Park

Bill Drysdale — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:58:00 +0300

Sofia is blessed with fine parks which are the lungs of the city.

Offline: Tunnel vision

Rene Beekman — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:59:00 +0300

If Bulgarian media and cultural community are unable to defend freedom of expression, then why would we expect the Rasates, Atanassovs and Tsvetanovs of this world not to trample basic democratic principles?

My Bulgaria: The battle for Spaska

Petar Kostadinov — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:59:00 +0300

Prime Minister Boiko Borissov won one of his first victories abroad after Spaska Mitrova was released from a Macedonian court on October 8.

Legal Alien: Mad about Bulgaria

Clive Leviev-Sawyer — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:59:00 +0300

Close to a quarter of Bulgarians, had frequent attacks of various forms of mental disorders over the four-year period up to the end of 2007.

The English Angle: Unwanted

Gabriel Hershman — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:59:00 +0300

Higher tax does have one undeniably good effect - it drives the most undesirable celebrities out of the UK.

Macro: Romanian scenarios

Alex Bivol — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:59:00 +0300

In the short-term, the only certainty about Romania's latest political crisis is that there is more uncertainty ahead.