Bulgaria

Bulgaria is grappling with a concerning new trend as fentanyl increasingly replaces heroin, with experts describing the country as a unique phenomenon in the Balkans regarding its spread. This public health crisis is unfolding alongside intensified efforts to combat corruption, including the Ministry of Interior's uncovering of a scheme to illegally drain EU subsidies and a new investigation by the Court of Audit into Delyan Peevski, leader of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and Member of the National Assembly, for undeclared flights.

Further political scrutiny centers on Prime Minister Rumen Radev, leader of Progressive Bulgaria (PB), who faces allegations of hiding behind commercial companies in the 'Botash' case. The government, led by Prime Minister Radev, has also lifted a ban on diesel and kerosene exports. Meanwhile, a proposal for a large-scale merger and reorganization of health structures has been met with strong opposition from the GERB party, whose chairman is Boyko Borissov, a Member of the National Assembly.

In other news, Aurubis is expanding its operations in Bulgaria and reporting record profits, indicating significant economic growth for the company within the country. However, Fraport has reported a loss from its Bulgarian market operations, and low water levels in the Danube River are impacting energy production and navigation. Socially, a driver abandoned a child with special needs in extreme heat near Pleven, and several teenagers were detained following a fatal beating in Plovdiv. President Iliana Iotova has called for foreigners to respect Bulgarians following an incident in Bansko.