GERB’s Negotiation Tactics: Old Tricks, New Consequences
GERB has once again deployed its signature tactic—delegating negotiations to Borisov’s “sherpas” while he, like a “god in the heavens,”
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Author: Ilian Vassilev
The Impact of Increased Russian Gas Volumes and Bulgaria’s Role in the EU Gas Market
The cancellation of the Ukrainian transit for Russian gas has created ripple effects yet to be fully understood. A critical
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Geopolitical and Economic Risks of a Potential Sale of Lukoil’s Bulgarian Assets to Hungary’s MOL
Key Events Orban’s Visit to Bulgaria Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s recent visit to Bulgaria was celebrated as a diplomatic
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The Challenge of Russian Gas Transit
Background: Viktor Orbán and the Debate on Russian Gas Transit Through Bulgaria During his recent visit to Sofia, Hungarian Prime
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The Challenges of Managing Russian Political Risk in Bulgaria
Western politicians, from Angela Merkel to Barack Obama, who believed they could understand Vladimir Putin and engage with him, faced
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Shadow Schemes: The Transshipment of Russian Crude Oil in Bulgaria
Orbán Takes Over Lukoil’s Assets in Bulgaria? In late November, an investigation by Ukrainska Pravda featured on The Alternativata TV
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Chiren CCGT Expansion: Unanswered Questions and Missed Opportunities
Photo:BTA The recent hearing of Vladimir Malinov, Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Energy, regarding the expansion project of the Chiren Central
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The Cost of Carelessness: How Bulgaria’s Caretaker Government Mismanages Economic Policy and Budget
A Legacy of Incompetence and Corruption Bulgaria’s caretaker government is forging an unenviable legacy defined by mismanagement and corruption. By
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The Impact of Sanctions Against Gazprombank on Russian gas transit via Bulgaria
Today represents a pivotal moment in the governance approaches of former Prime Minister Borissov and President Radev. Their chief energy
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Bulgaria – December Analytical Brief, 2025
Ilian Vassilev – Commentary in the “Alternativata” It has been a long time since I last shared my thoughts, but
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