Bulgaria’s government will give 120 leva ($71) Christmas bonuses to all pensioners whose incomes fall below the 638-leva ($378) poverty line, Labour and Social Policy Minister Borislav Gutsanov announced on November 26. The measure will cost about 64 million ($37m) leva and benefit roughly 536,000 people.

The decision reverses earlier statements that no bonuses would be paid this year, following a proposal by GERB-UDF leader Boiko Borissov. Parliament has also tasked the Labour Ministry with drafting legislation to ensure future Christmas and Easter bonuses for vulnerable groups, including pensioners and low-income families.

32% of Bulgarian's income goes to Social Security and Healthcare insurance. Despite that all they could find for the poorest elderly was $71.

Thanksgiving passed in the U.S., the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions continue, Serbia is scrambling to recalibrate its nationalization tools, and Orbán is in Moscow meeting with Putin today.

Croatia’s government has moved to dismiss the CEOs of ACI and four other major state-owned companies—Hrvatska Posta, HZ Infrastruktura, Hrvatska Lutrija, and Odasiljaci i Veze—while also removing the heads of the state inspectorate and the health insurance fund; no reason was given for the dismissals.

Over 20,000 protestors in Bulgaria due to new steep tax increases yesterday in Sofia where 46% of one's paycheck will be taxed.

Hungary's booming $1 billion movie industry, dubbed "Hollywood on the Danube," may soon face a major setback if US President Donald Trump enforces a proposed 100% tariff on foreign-produced films. Hungary's labor cost, stunning locations, and generous rebates have attracted numerous foreign productions, from blockbuster sci-fi like Dune to award-winning period dramas.

In 2023, foreign film spending in Hungary hit a record $910 million, mainly from US productions. However, Trump's tariffs, aimed at revitalizing the struggling US film industry, could harm Hungary’s lucrative film services. Experts suggest that Hollywood may find workarounds, but the tariffs could still disrupt the flow of productions.
In addition, Hungary’s film rebate program, which reimburses 30% of local spending, faces uncertainty after the government suspended new registrations in June.

Scrapping the bottom of the barrel here in regards to news. Nothing is happening in regards to the Balkans region; which is a good thing! Enjoy the weekend, go outside - touch grass.

May the Lord have mercy on the innocent.

The Israelis have weaponized the Pajeets.

https://www.dw.com/en/israel-to-admit-thousands-from-indias-jewish-lost-tribe/a-74855366

January 1st and 2nd, 2026 are the slated days where the Euro becomes the primary currency nationwide for Bulgaria.

Turkish President Erdogan:

It is becoming evident that the war between Russia and Ukraine has reached a point where it clearly threatens navigational safety in the Black Sea.

The targeting of commercial vessels in our exclusive economic zone on Friday signals a worrying escalation.

🇬🇷 Greek farmers have blocked multiple roads across the country, demanding reparations for destroyed crops and protesting the high costs for their work efforts.

The epicentre is in Nikaia, Larissa, while other movements can be spotted in the E-65 highway in Karditsa and the Evzones customs station.


📝 Kathimerini
🗺 @PoliticsGR

Why are people protesting in Bulgaria?

Public sector wage rose 14% first three quarters of 2025 compared to 11% private sector.

New budget proposals would increase mandatory tax on the working class to 44% and eventually to 46%.

Over 530,000 pensioners have a pension less that $378.

"If we don't get a contract by Friday, we will start negotiations on Monday, and we will get gas from another party. We have secured the money," - Vucic said at a press conference.

Vučić also stated payment for NIS workers will go ahead this week until Friday. Such a move risks secondary sanctions on Serbian financial institutions.

The United States rejected Serbia's request to continue crude oil supplies to the Pančevo refinery.