Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Mines and thermal power plants are doomed, Finance Minister says

Photo: BNR

The blockades of main roads in Bulgaria by protesting miners and energy workers continue for the fourth day. The Pass of the Republic, the Sub-Balkan road near Gurkovo are closed. There is a blockade in Radnevo on the road to Nova Zagora. The Ruse-Svilengrad road near Brikel TPP in Galabovo is closed. A blockade of the Struma highway is also planned. It is unclear when and where negotiations with the government will begin.

Stara Zagora is a region with a highway and a railway line, which is developing quite well, and there is serious investor interest, Finance Minister Assen Vassilev told bTV. 

"If someone lies to you that you will continue to do what you have been doing for the last 20 years, then they are lying to you," emphasized Vassilev. "What has been until now cannot continue because you see for yourself that the market imposes a limit, not the government. As long as the market pays 90 euros per tonne of coal, there is no way electricity from the mines will be competitive. This profession has a future until 2038 with diminishing functions," the minister said on the occasion of the protests of energy workers and miners.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

'Not one more'

Bulgaria joins the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, a number of cities in Bulgaria will hold marches today under the slogan 'Not one more'.  The Bulgarian Fund for Women (BFW) will also be taking part in the marches...

published on 11/25/25 7:35 AM

Bulgarian Prime Minister says country ready to help find peace solutions

Speaking at an informal meeting of EU leaders on Friday, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said that Bulgaria, as an EU member state and NATO ally, is ready to participate in efforts to find solutions for peace and security. He said that Ukraine’s..

published on 11/24/25 6:02 PM

Bulgarian scientist leads NASA team searching for planets beyond Solar System

Bulgarian-born scientist Dr Ellie Hadjhiyska Schmelzer is leading a team working on NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission, a space project dedicated to identifying planets outside the Solar System, BTA reported. Hadjhiyska..

published on 11/24/25 5:12 PM